UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

AT   LOS  ANGELES 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

BUREAU  OF  ANIMAL  INDUSTRY. 


SPECIAL  REPORT 


DISEASES  OF  CATTLE 


AND  OX 


CATTLE    FEEDING. 


PREPARED   UNDER   THE   DIRECTION   OF 

Dr.  D.  E.  SALMON, 

CHIEF  OF  THE  BUREAU  OF  ANIMAL  INDUSTRY, 

BY 

Drs.  MDRRAY,  ATKINSON,  HARBAUGH,  LOWE,  LAW,  DICKSON,  TRDMBOWER, 
SMITH,  AND  Prof.  HENRY. 


PUBLISHED  &Y  AUTHORITY  OF  THE  SECRETARY  OP  AGRICULTURE. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    OFHIC'K. 
1892. 


S  F 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Page. 
Letter  of  Transmittal, 

By  Dr.  D.  E.  SALMON,  Chief  of  Bureau 7 

Administration  of  Medicines, 

By  A.  J.  MURRAY,  M.  R.  C.  V.  S 9 

n  of  the  Digestive  Organs, 

By  A.  J.  MURRAY,  M.R.  C.V.S  15 

Poisons  and  Poisoning, 

By  the  late  V.  T.  ATKINSON,  V.  S 63 

Jjixi-nnes  of  the  Heart  and  Blood- Vessels, 

By  W.  H.  HARBAUGH,  V.  S 77 

yoncontagious  Diseases  of  the  Organs  of  Respiration, 

By  Dr.  WILLIAM  HERBERT  LOWE 101 

-••»  of  the  ferrous  System, 

By  W.  H.  HARBAUGH,  V.  S.-. Ill 

Diseases  of  the  Urinary  Organs, 

By  JAMES  LAW,  F.  R.C.  V.  S „ 137 

I 'i -<mes  of  the  Generative  Organs, 

By  JAMES  LAW,  F.  R.  C.V.S  1G9 

Diseases  following  Parturition, 

By  JAMES  LAW,  F.  R.  C.  V.  S 235 

Diseases  of  Young  Calces, 

By  JAMES  LAW,  F.  R.  C.  V.  S 207 

Hintn — Diseases  and  Accidents, 

By  the  lato  V.  T.  ATKINSON,  V.  8 281 

Surgical  Operations, 

By  the  late  Dr.  WILLIAM  DICK.SON  and  Dr.  WILLIAM  HERBERT  LOWE  . .  301 
Tumor*, 

By  Dr.  WILLIAM  HERBERT  LOWE 321 

<  *  of  the  Skin, 

By  M.R.TRU.M BOWER,  D.  V.  8 325 

Disease  H  of  the  Foot, 

By  M.  R.  TRUMBOWER,  D.  V.  S 349 

•iC9  of  the  Eye  and  its  Appendages, 

By  M.  R.  TnrMnowF.it,  D.  V.  S 353 

DisraMfH  of  the  Ear, 

By  M.  R.  TitfMiiowEK,  I).  V.  S 307 

liifn-tion*  Dined*™  of  Cattle, 

By  Dn.  D.  E.  SALMON  and  TUEOBAI.I*  SMITH 371 

The  feeding  and  Management  of  Cattle, 

By  Prof.  W.  A.  HENRY IW 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Page. 

TLATK  I.  The  position  of  the  rumen 62 

II.  Stomach  of  ruminant 62 

III.  Miscellaneous — Clinical  thermometer;  simple  probang;  grasp- 

ing or  forceps  probang;  wooden  gag;  trocar  and  canula;  sec- 
tion showing  hernia 62 

IV.  Microscopic  anatomy  of  the  liver 62 

V.  Ergot  in  hay 62 

VI.  Ergotism 62 

VII.  Diagram  of  the  circulation 100 

VIII.  The  position  of  the  lung 110 

IX.  Kidney  and  generative  organs 168 

X.  Microscopic  anatomy  of  the  kidney .• 168 

XI.  Calculi  of  kidney  and  bladder 168 

XII.  Fatal  calf  within  its  membranes 234 

XIII.  Pregnant  uterus  with  cotyledons 234 

XIV.  Vessels  of  umbilical  cord 234 

XV-  Normal  position  of  calf  in  utero 234 

XVI.  Abnormal  positions  of  calf  in  utero 234 

XVII.  Abnormal  positions  of  calf  in  utero 234 

XVIII.  Twin  pregnancy;  abdominal  dropsy  of  the  fetus;  crotchet  for- 
ceps ;  clamp  for  ear,  skin,  etc '. 234 

XIX.  Monstrosities 2&1 

XX.  Instruments  used  in  difficult  labor 234 

XXI.  Instruments  used  in  difficult  labor 234 

XXII.  Supports  for  prolapsed  uterus 266 

XXIII.  Supports  for  prolapsed  uterus 266 

XXIV.  Instrument  for  opening  milk  canal;  Bistouri  cache*;  spring  teat 

dilator;    ring  teat  syphon;   gutta-percha   bougie;   truss   for 

navel  hernia ;  iron  clnmp  for  navel  hernia 266 

XXV.  .Skeleton  of  the  cow 300 

XXVI.  Devices  for  casting  rattle 320 

XXVII.  Tracheotomy  and  venesection 320 

XXVIII.  Surgical  instruments  and  sutures 320 

XXIX.  Bacilli  and  microrocci  of  contagious  diseases 376 

XXX.   Upper  surface  of  tlie  lungs  of  the  ox 388 

XXXI.  Broncho-pneumonia 388 

XXXII.  Contagious  plenro-pneumonia 388 

XXXIII.  Infarctions  in  plciiro-pncuinonin 388 

XXXIV.  Tuberculosis  of  the  lungs 4  OS 

XXXV.  Tuberculosis  of  the  liver 4()« 

XXXVI.  A  lymph  gland  laid  open 108 

XXXVII.  Tuberculosis  of  the  omentnm  (cuul) 408 


6  LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Page. 
PLATJ:  XXXVIII.  Lymphatic  glaml  of  mesentery  cut  open;  omentuni  or  caul 

resting  upon  the  paunch 408 

XXXIX.  Actiuomycosis  of  the  ja\v 416 

XL.  Actiuomycosis  of  the  lungs 416 

XLI.  Actinomycosis  of  the  jaw 416 

XLII.  Spleen  in  health  and  in  Texas  fever 438 

XLIII.  The  liver  and  the  urine  in  Texas  fever.     The  microorganism 

of  Texas  fever 438 

XLIV.  The  cattle  tick,  the  carrier  of  Texas  fever 438 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE, 

BUREAU  OF  ANIMAL  INDUSTRY, 

Washington,  D.  C.,  May  14,  1892. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  herewith  a  report  upon  the  diseases 
of  cattle,  to  which  has  been  added  a  section  upon  cattle-feeding,  the 
whole  forming  the  second  volume  of  the  series  of  reports  upon  the  dis- 
eases of  the  domesticated  animals.  The  large  demand  for  and  the  great 
popularity  of  the  report  on  the  diseases  of  the  horse  has  been  an  addi- 
tional reason  for  adhering  as  closely  as  possible  to  the  plan  adopted  in 
the  preparation  of  that  volume.  In  preparing  the  illustrations  for  the 
report  on  diseases  of  cattle  an  effort  has  been  made  to  supplement,  as 
far  as  possible,  the  illustrations  which  appeared  in  the  report  on  the 
diseases  of  the  horse,  so  that  the  two  series  would  together  cover  the 
lit- Id  of  veterinary  surgery,  which  it  is  important  to  present  to  the 
n-ailer  in  a  graphic  manner.  On  account  of  the  importance  of  the  ali- 
nifiit.it  ion  as  a  factor  in  the  maintenance  of  health  and  cure  of  disease, 
as  well  as  in  the  profitable  management  of  cattle,  a  section  has  been 
added  on  cattle-feeding,  which  has  been  written  both  from  a  practical 
;ui(l  scientific  point  of  view.  This  may  justly  be  regarded  as  the  clear- 
<--t  and  most  succinct  presentation  of  this  subject  which  has  ever  been 
published,  while  it  is  probably  the  only  article  of  the  kind  in  which  the 
results  of  the  latest  scientific  researches  have  been  incorporated.  1 

The  writer  has  seen  no  reason  to  change  his  views,  presented  in  the 
N-tter  of  transmittal  accompanying  the  report  on  the  diseases  of  the 
horse,  as  to  the  value  of  such  publications  to  the  farmers  of  the  coun- 
try. On  the  contrary,  many  letters  have  been  received  testifying  that 
the  writers  had  saved  valuable  animals  by  following  the  advice  given 
in  that  report.  In  most  of  these  cases  it  has  been  stated  that  no  vet- 
erinarian was  accessible,  and  that  except  for  the  report  the  animals 
would  have  been  without  intelligent  treatment.  In  so  large  a  country 
as  ours  there  must  for  years  to  come  be  many  sections  in  which  no 
skilled  veterinarian  is  located,  and,  consequently,  there  must  continue 
to  be  many  demands  from  stock-owners  for  information  of  this  kind. 

It  is  well,  however,  to  remind  the  reader  who  has  not  made  a  special 
study  of  this  subject  that  it  would  bo  absurd  for  him  to  conclude  that 
even  with  the  best  of  books  he  can  treat  his  animals  as  well  as  they 


8  LETTER    OF    TRANSMITTAL. 

could  be  treated  by  a  properly  educated  veterinarian.  Careful  study 
of  the  allied  sciences  and  practical  experience  are  as  necessary  to  make 
a  man  successful  in  the  treatment  of  diseased  animals  as  in  the  case  of 
sick  people.  The  employment  of  a  veterinarian  is,  therefore,  advisable 
in  all  cases  where  a  competent  one  can  be  obtained.  In  the  many 
cases,  however,  where  professional  examination  of  the  affected  animal 
is  out  of  the  question,  the  reader  may  feel  assured  that  the  treatment 
here  recommended  is  safe  and  the  best  that  can  be  advised  for  his  use. 

It  is  hoped  that  this  volume  may  have  an  important  influence  in 
bringing  about  more  intelligent  and  more  humane  care  and  treatment 
of  animals  in  health  and  disease.  To  this  end  the  writers  of  the  sev- 
eral sections  have  been  requested  to  give  a  brief  description  of  the 
various  organs  of  the  animal  body,  and  a  statement  of  their  normal 
functions.  This  information  is  essential  to  a  proper  understanding  of 
the  nature  of  disease  or  the  principles  of  treatment.  When  carefully 
studied  it  should  do  much  to  prevent  the  unnecessarily  cruel  and  inju- 
rious practices  which  are  still  too  common  in  the  treatment  of  sick  ani- 
mals even  in  our  enlightened  country. 

It  is  plain  from  what  has  just  been  said  that  this  report  has  been 
prepared  for  the  farmer  and  stock-owner  rather  than  for  the  student  or 
veterinarian.  As  much  practical  information  as  possible  has  been 
brought  together  on  the  subjects  treated,  but  it  has  been  stated  in  brief 
and  plain  language.  Readers  desiring  a  more  detailed  account  of  any 
subject  are  referred  to  the  various  special  treatises.  ^Notwithstanding 
the  popular  character  of  this  work  there  is  no  doubt  that  it  will  be  found 
useful  to  the  veterinarian  as  well  as  to  the  farmer.  The  preceding 
volume  of  the  series  is  found  on  the  shelves  of  many  practitioners  who 
regard  it  as  the  most  valuable  work  in  their  library,  and  it  is  believed 
that  the  accompanying  report  will  be  equally  serviceable. 
Very  respectfully, 

D.  E.  SALMON, 
Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry. 

Hon.  J.  M.  BUSK, 

Secretary  of  Agriculture. 


SPECIAL  REPORT 

ON 

DISEASES  OF  CATTLE  AND  ON  CATTLE  FEEDING. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  MEDICINES. 


By  A.  J.  MURRAY,  M.  R.  C.  V.  S.,  Detroit,  Mich. 


As  medicines  may  be  given  in  different  ways,  we  will  consider  in  detail 
the  most  common  methods  of  administering-  them  to  bovine  animals. 

BY  THE  MOUTH. 

Medicines  may  be  given  by  the  mouth  in  the  form  of  draughts  or 
drenches,  powders,  electuaries,  and  balls  or  pills. 

Draught*  or  drenches. — This  is  the  form  in  which  medicine  is  usually 
given  to  cattle.  The  medicine  should  be  dissolved  in  water,  beer,  or 
any  other  suitable  liquid.  Medicines  which  are  soluble  should  be  well 
shaken  up  with  the  liquid  in  which  they  are  given,  so  as  to  insure  their 
complete  solution.  For  example,  if  we  are  giving  an  ounce  of  sweet 
spirits  of  niter  the  medicine  should  be  shaken  up  with  at  least  half  a 
pint  of  water  before  giving  it.  If  instead  of  doing  this  we  give  the 
medicine  without  diluting  it,  a  sore  and  inflamed  condition  of  the  month 
and  throat  is  produced.  The  materials  which  enter  into  the  composi- 
tion of  some  drenches  .in-  not  soluble,  that  is,  no  amount  of  shaking 
will  dissolve  them  in  the  liquid  in  which  they  are  given.  As  examples 
of  such  medicines  we  may  mention  powdered  ginger,  powdered  gentian, 
and  carbonate  of  iron,  but  by  shaking  they  may  be  temporarily  sus- 
pended in  the  liquid  in  which  they  are  given,  so  that  by  agitating  such 
medicines  while  in  the  act  of  giving  them  they  are  temporarily  mixed 
with  the  liquid  and  may  consequently  be  given  in  a  draught,  though 
not  quite  s°  easily  as  medicines  that  are  soluble.  In  giving  drenches 
we  must  always  ascertain  to  what  degree  the  medicine  or  medicines 
composing  the  drench  should  be  diluted.  Carelessness  in  this  matter 


10  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

may  be  attended  with  dangerous  and  even  fatal  consequences,  and  it  is 
well  to  make  it  a  rule  not  to  give  medicines  unless  they  are  prescribed 
by  some  one  who  is  competent  to  give  directions  in  such  matters.  Of 
course  this  rule  will  not  apply  to  those  who  possess  a  sufficient  knowl- 
edge of  medicine  to  prevent  a  mistake  being  made.  In  giving  a  drench 
to  an  ox  the  hand  should  be  passed  in  front  of  the  horns  and  the  fingers 
take  hold  of  the  septum  nasi  (partition  between  the  nostrils) ;  the  nose 
should  be  raised  in  a  slightly  upward  direction,  and  the  neck  of  the  bot- 
tle should  then  be  introduced  at  the  side  of  the  mouth  so  as  to  allow  the 
medicine  to  flow  gradually  out  of  the  bottle.  In  doing  this  the  animal's 
neck  should  not  be  twisted  to  the  side  on  which  the  person  adminis- 
tering the  medicine  stands,  nor  should  the  nose  be  raised  higher  thai/is 
necessary  to  allow  the  draught  to  flow  easily  down  the  throat.  The 
neck  and  head  ought  to  form  a  straight  line  of  which  the  nose  is  the 
highest  point.  When  an  animal  is  inclined  to  resist  it  is  necessary  for 
an  assistant  to  take  hold  of  the  horns  so  as  to  steady  the  head,  and  in 
this  way  to  assist  the  person  giving  the  medicine.  If  the  animal  tries 
to  cough  the  head  should  be  released  for  two  or  three  minutes. 

Poicders. — The  medicines  which  are  to  be  given  in  the  form  of  pow- 
der should  be  pulverized  or  finely  divided,  and  also  should  be  well 
mixed  together  if  there  are  several  ingredients  in  the  powder.  Mate- 
rials should  not  be  used  in  making  up  powders  which  will  exercise  a 
caustic  or  irritating  action  on  the  mouth,  or  which  are  possessed  of  a 
nauseating  and  disagreeable  taste.  As  powders  are  usually  mixed  with 
food  it  is  obvious  that  substances  possessing  a  disagreeable  taste  will 
be  refused  by  the  animals  to  which  they  are  given. 

Electuaries  are  frequently  used  in  treating  sore  throat,  or  when  an 
animal  is  troubled  with  a  cough.  Electuaries  are  usually  composed  of 
a  powder,  such  as  chlorate  of  potash  or  alum,  which  is  rubbed  into  a 
thick  paste  with  sirup  or  molasses  and  is  then  smeared  on  the  animal's 
tongue  with  a  flat  wooden  spoon.  Any  powder,  however,  may  be  given 
in  the  form  of  an  electuary  as  long  as  it  is  not  possessed  of  caustic  and 
irritating  properties,  or  is  not  chemically  unsuitable  for  giving  in,  this 
way. 

Balls  or  pills,  though  frequently  used  in  treating  the  diseases  of  the 
horse,  are  not  well  adapted  for  the  treatment  of  diseases  of  cattle.  As 
cattle  have  four  stomachs,  solids  pass  rather  slowly  through  these  capa- 
cious digestive  organs,  so  that  very  few  veterinary  practitioners  resort 
to  this  form  of  administering  medicine,  which  is  found  to  be  much  less 
effectual  than  when  it  is  dissolved  or  mixed  with  liquid. 

BY   THE   BOWEL. 

Injections  of  medicinal  agents. — When  the  mouth  is  swollen  or  affected 
in  such  a  manner  that  administration  of  medicine  by  that  way  is  not 
practicable,  the  agent  to  be  used  may,  after  proper  dilution,  be  given 
by  the  rectum,  but  it  is  usual  to  give  a  double  dose  when  it  is  adminis- 


ADMINISTRATION    OF    MEDICINES,  11 

tered  by  this  channel,  as  the  action  of  medicine  is  less  prompt  and  pow- 
erful than  when  given  by  the  mouth.  Before  giving  medicine  in  this 
way  the  rectum  should  first  be  emptied  by  a  warm  water  injection. 

Encmata  or  injections  of  hot  water  are  also  used  in  cases  of  constipa- 
tion. It  is  unnecessary  to  mention  what  the  temperature  of  water 
should  be  for  giving  an  injection,  as  no  one  ever  uses  a  thermometer  to 
ascertain  the  temperature  of  water  which  is  to  be  used  for  this  purpose. 
When  the  hand  is  placed  in  the  water  to  be  used  the  water  should  feel 
pleasantly  warm,  and  an  injection  should  never  be  given  without  first 
testing  the  temperature  of  the  water  with  the  hand.  Two  quarts  is  a 
sufficient  quantity  to  use  as  an  injection,  and  if  it  is  desired  to  render 
the  injection  stimulating  a  little  soap  may  be  added,  though  it  should 
be  borne  in  mind  that  the  injection  will  be  retained  longer  if  no  soap  is 
added  to  it.  If  it  is  therefore  desired  that  the  injection  should  be 
retained  as  long  as  possible  it  is  best  not  to  add  soap.  We  may  men- 
tion that  injections  are  not  so  much  used,  nor  do  they  prove  as  servicea- 
ble in  treating  the  diseases  of  the  ox  as  they  do  in  those  of  the  horse. 

Suppositories. — A  suppository  is  usually  composed  of  agents  which 
exercise  a  soothing  and  anodyne  effect  on  the  part  to  which  it  is  applied, 
and  this  effect  is  in  time  diffused  to  the  adjoining  parts.  It  is  depos- 
ited in  the  rectum  in  the  solid  form  and  is  usually  cone-shaped.  The 
rectum  should  be  evacuated  before  introducing  the  suppository.  They 
are  not  frequently  used  in  veterinary  practice. 

BY  THE  VAGINA. 

Inflammation  is  sometimes  set  up  in  the  walls  of  the  vagina,  which 
maybe  occasioned  by  the  bull  during  service,  or  while  the  calf  is  being 
c\  1 1  acted  during  difficult  labor.  In  such  cases  the  antiseptic  and  heal- 
ing agent  should  be  dissolved  in  tepid  water  and  applied  once  or  twice 
a  day  to  the  affected  parts  with  a  syringe.  When  the  cleaning  (pla- 
centa) has  been  retained  in  the  womb  instead  of  coming  away  shortly 
after  calving,  a  purulent  (mattery)  discharge  is  set  up,  which  is  com- 
monly known  as  the  whites  (leucorrhea).  In  such  cases  the  womb 
should  be  washed  out  daily  by  connecting  a  long  flexible  tube  with  a 
syringe,  which  is  passed  by  the  hand  into  tlie  month  of  tbc  womb  so  a,s 
to  wash  out,  cleanse,  and  set  up  a  healing  action  in  the  surface  of  that 
organ. 

BY  THE   NOSTRILS. 

Inhalation. — Medicinal  agents  which  arc  volatile — that  is,  capable 
of  being  diffused  in  the  air — an-  >omrtim«->  administered  in  this  way. 
The  object  may  be  to  diffuse  a  certain  quantity  of  gas,  such  as  chlorine 
or  .sulphurous  acid  gas  in  the  air  of  a  utable,  which  the  animals  sub- 
jected to  such  treatment  must  breathe  for  a  certain  length  of  time. 
This  system  of  treatment  is  frequently  resorted  to  when  the  bronchial 
tubes  of  young  cattle  are  infected  with  worms.  Volatile  agents,  such  a<* 


12  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

chloroform  and  sulphuric  ether,  are  frequently  administered  in  this  way. 
If  a  cloth  is  saturated  with  chloroform  or  sulphuric  ether  and  applied  to 
one  of  the  animal's  nostrils  while  the  other  nostril  breathes  air,  the  vapor 
of  either  of  the  before-mentioned  agents  will  pass  through  the  nostrils 
into  the  lungs,  but  the  wet  cloth  applied  to  the  nostril  should  be  cov- 
ered with  a  dry  one,  folded  several  times  on  itself,  so  as  to  prevent  the 
vapor  escaping  into  the  air.  This  medicinal  treatment  may  alsobe  applied 
in  verminous  bronchitis  above  mentioned,  and  it  is  also  employed  by 
surgeons  to  prevent  an  animal  feeling  the  pain  which  attends  an  ope- 
ration, though  in  the  latter  case  the  administration  of  the  vapor  must 
be  carried  to  the  extent  of  producing  insensibility,  and  should  only  be 
applied  for  this  purpose  by  a  veterinarian. 

Insufflation. — The  agent  to  be  employed  in  insufflation  must  be  in  the 
form  of  a  fine  powder,  which  is  blown  up  the  animal's  nostrils.  This 
mode  of  treatment  is  seldom  employed  in  cattle  diseases. 

BY   THE  WINDPIPE. 

The  method  of  injecting  medicines  into  the  windpipe  should  only  be 
applied  by  veterinarians. 

BY   THE   VEINS. 

What  is  termed  intravenous  injection,  or  th«  injection  of  medicinal 
agents  into  the  veins,  is  not  much  practiced,  and  should  only  be  resorted 
to  by  veterinarians. 

BY    THE    SKIN. 

Rubbing  the  agent  on  the  skin. — This  method  of  applying  medicine  is 
practiced  chiefly  in  parasitic  diseases,  and  the  end  aimed  at  is  to  destroy 
the  parasite  whether  it  be  of  an  animal  or  a  vegetable  nature.  In  mak- 
ing such  applications  that  form  of  ointment  which  will  enable  the  opera- 
tor by  rubbing  to  work  the  medicinal  agent  thoroughly  into  the  skin 
should  be  preferred.  In  applying  an  ointment  to  the  skin  of  cattle  it 
is  desirable  to  avoid  the  use  of  poisonous  materials,  such  as  mercury 
and  arsenic.  Instances  have  frequently  happened  in  which,  when  poi- 
sonous ingredients  have  been  used  in  making  an  ointment,  that  the  ani- 
mals have  licked  themselves  after  it  has  been  applied,  and  have  conse- 
quently been  poisoned.  Another  source  of  danger  when  poisonous 
ointments  or  solutions  are  employed  is  that  animals  affected  with  a  skin 
disease  frequently  present  raw  patches  of  skin  on  different  parts  of 
their  bodies,  and  it  has  frequently  been  found  that  when  the  solution 
or  ointment  is  applied  on  such  raw  surfaces  absorption  takes  place, 
and  dangerous  and  even  fatal  results  are  rapidly  produced.  The  treat 
meut  of  skin  diseases  not  unfrequently  is  unsuccessful  owing  to  the  fail- 
ure to  wash  the  skin  well  with  soap  and  water  so  as  to  remove  scabs 
and  thus  to  allow  the  ointment  to  be  applied  thoroughly  to  the  affected 
parts.  When  animals  are  affected  with  neuralgic  or  irritating  forms  of 


ADMINISTRATION    OF   MEDICINES.  13 

skin  disease,  loeal  applications  are  of  great  service  in  allaying  irritation 
or  pains. 

Subcutaneous  injection. — Medicines  are  sometimes  injected  beneath 
the  skin  so  that  they  may  be  absorbed  and  pass  into  the  blood.  This 
method  of  administering  medicine  is  becoming  more  extensively  used, 
and  in  various  forms  of  disease  proves  of  great  service;  but  the  practice 
of  it  is  limited  to  veterinarians,  as  it  requires  special  instruments  and 
a  special  knowledge  of  the  medicines  and  also  of  the  modes  of  prepar- 
ing them,  to  administer  medicine  in  this  way. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS. 


By  A.  J.  MURRAY,  M.  R.  C.  V.  S.,  Detroit,  Mich. 


It  is  not  proposed  to  enter  into  any  elaborate  consideration  of  the 
nature  and  chemical  composition  of  food  under  this  title,  but  rather  to 
touch  on  such  general  aspects  of  this  subject  as  are  within  the  experi- 
ence of  farmers,  with  the  view  of  indicating  what  may  be  done  to  pre- 
vent the  occurrence  of  disease.  It  is  a  matter  of  general  experience  that 
disorder  of  the  digestive  organs  is  frequently  occasioned  by  defects  in 
the  quality  of  the  food  supplied  to  cattle.  Hay  which  is  coarse  and 
fibrous  overtasks  the  digestive  powers,  irritates  the  mucous  surface  of 
the  stomachs  and  bowels,  and  may  lead  to  a  torpid  and  inactive  condi- 
tion of  the  stomachs,  or  when  it  acts  on  the  bowels  may  lead  to  the  de- 
vel<  >pinent  of  dysentery.  Timothy  hay  may  be  of  good  quality  for  feeding 
to  horses,  but  when  fed  to  cows,  especially  those  which  do  not  get 
exercise,  it  will  produce  a  constipated  condition  of  the  bowels.  Hay 
fed  to  cattle  should  always  contain  a  considerable  proportion  of  clover, 
which,  from  its  laxative  effect,  keeps  their  bowels  in  a  natural  condition. 

Food  which  is  finely  divided,  such  as  corn  meal  and  fine  middlings, 
fed  alone,  is  not  adapted  for  the  digestive  organs  of  cattle.  It  does  not 
pass  readily  through  the  stomachs,  and  frequently  gives  rise  to  severe 
attacks  of  indigestion.  When  fine  middlings  and  corn  meal  are  used 
t  hey  should  be  mixed  up  with  chopped  hay,  or  what  is  commonly  known 
as  cut  feed,  as  this  tends  to  prevent  those  finely  divided  foods  clogging 
together  and  giving  rise  to  fermentation  in  the  stomach,  and  they  should 
even  then  be  used  in  moderate  quantity.  The  chemical  composition  of 
a  food  is  not  always  a  safe  criterion  for  estimating  its  value.  Its  digest- 
ibility must  always  be  taken  into  consideration,  as  the  physical  charac- 
ters may  render  it  liable  to  disorder  digestion.  Hay  which  has  been 
much  exposed  to  the  rain  while  drying  is  innutritions  and  is  likely  to 
produce  intiamiuatory  affections  of  the  stomach  and  bowels,  and  the 
same  remark  will  apply  to  musty  oats.  Ergot  not  only  diminishes  the 
nutritive  value  of  hay,  but  has  a  special  effect  in  producing  gangrene 
of  the  extremities,  which  is  I >est  counteracted  by  feeding  roots  to  cattle 
when  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  feed  them  on  hay  made  from  crgotcd 
grass.  (See  Plate  V.)  Rusty  straw  is  also  a  dangerous  article  of  food, 
and  will  produce  disease  if  fed  to  cattle.  Smut  on  corn  impairs  its 

15 


16  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

nutritive  qualities,  and  animals  which  are  fed  on  siich  corn  lose  weight, 
so  it  appears  also  to  interfere  with  assimilation.  In  some  instances  the 
indigestion  which  smutty  corn  produces  terminates  in  inflammation  of 
the  fourth  stomach  and  portions  of  the  intestinal  canal.  In  what 
is  termed  "  cornstalk  disease,"  indigestion  followed  by  delirium  and 
coma  is  produced  in  cattle  by  feeding  them  on  corn  which  is  supposed 
by  some  writers  to  be  infested  by  a  minute  parasitic  fungus.  These 
living  organisms  are  found  on  the  lower  leaves  of  the  corn,  which,  when 
invaded  by  those  parasites,  has  a  dwarfed  appearance.  The  diseased 
leaves  become  yellowish-green,  then  yellow,  and  then  wither  away. 
Upon  closer  examination  it  will  usually  be  seen  that  there  are  certain 
spots,  more  especially  about  the  base  of  the  leaf,  which  is  closely 
wrapped  around  the  stalk,  having  a  different  discoloration.  These  are 
brown,  watery-looking  objects  at  first;  then  darker,  and  finally  dead. 
Occasionally  there  are  livid  red  spots  and  patches  in  the  same  situa- 
tion. These  specially  affected  spots  vary  in  size  from  mere  points  to 
those  of  several  inches  across,  often  longer,  in  the  direction  of  the 
veins  of  the  leaf  or  leaf  sheath  (Burrill).  Whenever  this  disease  ap- 
pears in  a  cornfield  it  is  advised  that  every  stalk  and  leaf  in  the  field 
should  be  burned,  and  that  the  field  be  seeded  down  to  grass.  The 
writer  has  observed  during  some  years,  and  usually  after  a  spell  of  dry, 
warm  weather,  that  cattle  grazing  on  pastures  usually  considered  as 
sound  and  healthy  have  become  affected  with  indigestion,  followed  by 
delirium  and  coma,  but  he  has  been  iinable  to  satisfy  himself  as  to  the 
causation  of  such  outbreaks  of  disease.  The  explanation  of  such  facts 
remains  a  matter  of  future  investigation.  Grass  growing  on  wet, 
marshy  land  is  favorable  to  the  production  of  dysentery,  and  we  have 
sometimes  seen  animals  die  suddenly  while  grazing  on  such  pastures, 
and  have  traced  such  deaths  to  a  form  of  anthrax  introduced  through 
the  digestive  system.  Frozen  turnips  and  potatoes  produce  very  dan- 
gerous attacks  of  indigestion  when  eaten  by  cattle,  and  grass  which  is 
wet  by  dew  or  rain,  or  covered  with  hoarfrost,  should  also  be  regarded 
as  dangerous.  The  sudden  chilling  of  the  stomachs  when  a  quantity 
of  such  food  is  eaten  arrests  digestion  and  will  also  occasion  cramp  of 
the  stomach  and  bowels. 

Causes. — In  tracing  out  the  causation  of  disease  we  find  in  not  a  few 
instances  that  excess  is  the  disturbing  element,  instead  of  quality.  For 
example,  when  cattle  are  turned  into  a  new  and  rather  luxuriant  pas- 
ture severe  attacks  of  indigestion  may  result  from  their  eating  too 
greedily,  and  it  is  well,  under  such  circumstances,  to  allow  them  in  such 
pastures  for  only  a  comparatively  short  time  each  day,  until  they 
become  accustomed  to  their  richer  and  more  tempting  herbage.  The 
same  idea  may  be  applied  to  different  kinds  of  food  which,  though 
wholesome  when  partaken  of  moderately,  become  dangerous  when  used 
to  excess. 

The  manner  of  eating  may  also  produce  indigestion,  as  food  hastily 
eaten  and  consequently  imperfectly  masticated  is  not  properly  prepared 


DISEASES   OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  17 

for  the  action  of  the  stomachs.  Circumstances,  of  course,  must  sug- 
gest what  ought  to  be  done  to  prevent  the  injurious  action  of  this 
cause. 

Water  should  always  be  supplied  to  cattle  in  sufficient  quantity. 
Excess  here  may  prove  very  injurious,  and  may  occasion  cramp  in  the 
fourth  stomach.  If  animals  have  access  to  water  at  all  times,  or  at 
least  frequently,  there  is  no  danger  of  their  suffering  from  drinking  to 
excess.  In  this  connection  we  may  state  that  it  is  better  for  cattle  to 
have  rock  salt  placed  within  their  reach,  so  that  they  may  lick  as  much 
as  they  feel  inclined  to  do,  rather  than  to  mix  salt  in  their  food,  as  in 
the  latter  case  there  is  a  danger  of  their  getting  too  much,  thus  engen- 
dering excessive  thirst.  It  has  been  customary  lately  to  recommend 
hot  water  as  the  usual  drink  for  cattle  during  cold  weather,  and  it  is 
claimed  that  they  are  kept  in  better  condition  by  supplying  them  with 
hot  water  instead  of  cold  water.  The  argument  is  put  forward  that  a 
large  quantity  of  heat  is  lost  in  raising  the  cold  water  drank  to  the 
temperature  of  the  animal's  body,  and  that  this  large  consumption  of 
heat  must  increase  the  waste  of  the  tissues.  This  is  an  exclusively 
chemical  way  of  looking  at  the  matter,  and  we  think  it  should  rather 
be  regarded  from  the  standpoint  of  what  effect  such  a  practice  would 
have  on  the  future  health,  endurance,  and  vitality  of  cattle.  While  we 
are  aware  from  experience  that  cramp  of  the  stomach  is  sometimes  pro- 
duced by  cattle  drinking  ice-cold  water,  we  think  that  the  other  extreme 
of  supplying  them  with  hot  water  is  not  to  be  recommended,  as  it  must 
render  them  extremely  sensitive  to  any  occasional  or  accidental  change 
which  might  take  place  in  this  sort  of  regimen.  The  question  has  also 
to  be  decided  as  to  what  would  be  the  ultimate  effect  of  such  a  practice 
on  the  digestive  systems.  A  short  experience  of  this  method  of  water- 
ing cattle  can  not  be  held  to  settle  the  question  of  its  advantages  and 
disadvantages. 

Hard  water  or  water  containing  a  large  proportion  of  inorganic  con- 
stituents is  not  to  be  regarded  as  good  drinking  water.  We  have  seen 
water  which  had  been  rendered  hard  artificially,  by  adding  a  little  lime 
to  it,  produce  colic  to  such  an  extent  when  it  was  used  for  drinking 
water  that  its  use  had  to  be  abandoned. 

A  large  proportion  of  organic  matter  is  also  a  source  of  danger,  and 
should  be  guarded  against.  It  usually  is  contaminated  by  a  well  or 
stream  being  so  situated  as  to  receive  the  drainage  of  some  accumula- 
tion of  filth,  though  water  in  marshy  localities  frequently  contains  a 
high  proportion  of  organic  constituents,  and  is  consequently  objection- 
able. We  need  hardly  say  that  water  contaminated  by  tlie  dead  bodies 
of  animals  i«  to  be  regarded  as  dangerous,  as  here  we  have  the  further 
danger  that  it  may  become  the  vehicle  of  communicating  specific  dis- 
•M68. 

24007 2 


18  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  MOUTH. 
WOUNDS  AND  CONTUSIONS  OF   THE   LIPS. 

The  lips  may  become  inflamed  from  contusions,  which  are  some- 
times produced  by  a  blow  from  the  horns  of  another  animal,  or  in  the 
case  of  working  oxen  it  may  be  produced  by  a  blow  from  the  driver. 
While  cattle  are  grazing  they  are  sometimes  bitten  in  the  lips  by  ser- 
pents, more  especially  when  they  are  pastured  in  woods.  - 

Symptoms. — As  a  result  of  a  contusion  the  lips  become  thick  and. 
swollen,  and  if  treatment  is  neglected  the  swelling  becomes  hard  aud 
indurated.  This  condition  renders  it  difficult  for  the  animal  to  get  food 
into  its  mouth,  on  account  of  the  lips  having  lost  their  natural  flexibil- 
ity. In  such  cases  an  ox  will  protrude  his  tongue  and  endeavor  to 
bring  the  food  into  his  mouth  with  that  organ.  In  cases  of  snake-bite 
the  limits  of  the  swelling  are  not  well  defined ;  it  is  soft  and  compara- 
tively painless. 

Treatment. — When  we  have  to  deal  with  a  bruise,  which  is  easily  dis- 
tinguished from  a  snake-bite  by  the  different  train  of  symptoms  which 
are  produced,  the  affected  part  should  be  bathed  steadily  for  three  or 
four  hours  with  the  following  solution:  Muriate  of  ammonia,  1  ounce; 
water,  2  pints.  In  recent  cases  no  other  treatment  will  be  required, 
but  if  the  swelling  is  not  recent  and  has  become  hard  or  indurated,  then 
the  swollen  part  should  be  gently  rubbed  every  second  day  with  oil  of 
turpentine  until  the  swelling  has  subsided.  In  snake-bite  a  straight 
incision  penetrating  into  the  flesh  or  muscle  should  be  made  across  the 
center  of  the  wound,  and  then  a  similar  incision,  but  passing  crosswise 
of  the  first,  should  be  made.  This  is  what  surgeons  term  a  "  crucial " 
incision.  After  this  has  been  done  a  small  wad  of  cotton  batting  should 
be  pressed  against  the  wounds  until  the  bleeding  has  almost  stopped. 
Afterwards  the  following  lotion  may  be  applied  to  the  wounds  several 
times  a  day:  Permanganate  of  potash,  half  a  dram;  distilled  water,  1 
pint.  As  snake-bites  are  usually  attended  with  considerable  depression, 
which  may  terminate  in  stupor,  it  is  advisable  to  give  doses  of  whisky 
at  intervals.  Half  a  pint  of  whisky  mixed  with  a  pint  of  water  should 
be  given,  and  the  dose  should  be  repeated  in  half  an  hour  if  the  animal 
is  sinking  into  a  stupefied  and  unconscious  condition.  The  repetition  of 
the  dose  must  depend  on  the  symptoms  which  the  animal  shows.  It 
must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  object  of  treatment  is  to  ward  off  the 
stupor,  which  is  one  of  the  results  of  snake-bite,  and  that  in  adminis- 
tering whisky  the  object  is  to  produce  a  stimulating  and  not  an  intoxi- 
cating or  stupefying  effect. 

SALIVATION. 

Salivation  is  a  symptom  of  some  general  or  local  disorder.  It  may, 
therefore,  be  a  symptom  of  a  general  disease,  such  as  rabies  or  the  foot- 
and-mouth  disease  (epizootic  aphtha),  or  it  may  be  a  purely  local  trou- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  19 

ble,  as  when  copious  secretion  of  the  salivary  glands  is  produced  by 
animals  eating  irritating  plants,  such  as  wild  mustard.  In  cases  where 
saliva  is  observed  to  dribble  from  the  mouth  that  part  must  be  care- 
fully examined  by  introducing  an  instrument  like  a  balling-iron  into  the 
mouth,  or  if  such  an  instrument  is  not  at  hand,  by  grasping  the  tongue 
and  partially  withdrawing  it  from  the  mouth  while  all  parts  of  the 
mouth  are  exposed  to  a  good  light,  so  that  the  presence  of  any  foreign 
substance  may  be  detected.  The  cause  will  sometimes  be  found  to 
depend  on  a  short  piece  of  wood  becoming  fixed  on  the  palate,  its  two 
ends  resting  on  the  upper  molar  teeth  of  each  side ;  or  it  may  depend 
on  a  needle,  thorn,  or  splinter  of  wood  becoming  imbedded  in  the  tongue. 
Sometimes  a  sharp  piece  of  tin  or  other  metal  may  become  partially 
imbedded  in  the  inner  surface  of  the  cheek.  Hay  occasionally  possesses 
some  quality  which  produces  salivation,  though  only  in  some  animals. 
Another  cause  of  salivation  is  cattle  which  have  been  rubbed  with 
mercurial  ointment  (see  Mercurial  Poisons,  p.  69),  licking  themselves. 
Such  cases,  of  course,  arise  from  the  constitutional  action  of  mercury, 
and  indicate  the  danger  of  using  such  a  preparation  externally,  on 
account  of  the  common  habit  which  the  animals  have  of  licking  them- 
selves. 

Treatment. — If  salivation  depends  on  the  irritation  and  inflammation 
set  up  by  the  ingestion  of  acid  plants,  or  forage  possessing  some  pecu- 
liar stimulating  property,  a  lotion  composed  of  an  ounce  of  powdered 
alum  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  water  should  be  syringed  into  the  mouth 
twiee  a  day.  using  half  a  pint  of  the  solution  each  time.  If,  however, 
the  salivation  depends  on  the  presence  of  a  thorn,  splinter  of  wood,  or 
any  other  foreign  substance  imbedded  in  the  cheek  or  tongue,  remove 
the  offending  object  and  wash  the  mouth  occasionally  with  a  weak  solu- 
tion of  carbolic  acid  and  tepid  water.  When  salivation  is  produced  by 
mercurial  poisoning  or  by  the  foot-and-mouth  disease  (epizootic  aphtha), 
the  treatment  appropriate  to  those  general  conditions  of  the  system,  as 
well  as  the  local  treatment,  must  be  applied. 

IRREGULARITIES   OF   THE   TEETH. 

Irregularities  of  the  teeth  ma}' be  occasioned  by  the  unequal  wearing 
of  some  of  the  teeth  or  by  some  of  the  incisors  being  broken,  which  may 
liapiMHi  when  cattle  are  pastured  on  sandy  or  gravelly  soil.  The  molar 
teeth  may  also  show  irregular  wear  from  similar  causes.  Their  edges 
may  become  sharp,  or  it  may  hapi»en  that  a  molar  tooth  has  been  acci- 
dentally fractured.  It  may  also  occur  that  a  supernumerary  tooth  has 
developed  in  an  unusual  position,  and  that  it  interferes  with  the  natu- 
ral and  regular  mastication  of  the  food. 

Treatment. — The  mouth  may  be  examined  by  grasping  the  animal's 
tongue  with  one  hand  and  partially  withdrawing  it  from  the  mouth,  so 
as  to  expose  the  :ncisor  and  molar  teeth  to  inspection.  When  it  is 


20  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

desired,  however,  to  examine  the  molar  teeth  with  the  fingers,  so  as  to 
obtain  a  more  precise  idea  of  their  condition,  an  instrument  like  the  ball- 
ing-iron which  is  used  for  the  horse  should  be  introduced  into  the  mouth? 
so  as  to  separate  the  jaws  and  keep  them  apart  while  the  examina- 
tion is  being  made.  Any  sharp  edges  of  the  molars  must  be  removed 
by  the  tooth-rasp.  Any  supernumerary  tooth  which  interferes  with 
mastication  or  any  tooth  which  is  fractured  or  loose  should  be  extracted. 
In  performing  such  operations  it  is  desirable  to  throw  or  cast  the  ox, 
and  to  have  its  head  held  securely,  so  as  to  enable  the  operator  to  do 
what  is  necessary  without  difficulty. 

CARIES   OF   THE   TEETH. 

The  presence  of  caries  may  be  suspected  if  the  mouth  exhales  a  bad 
odor,  and  if  the  animal  occasionally  stops  during  mastication  as  if  it 
were  in  pain.  The  existence  of  caries  in  a  molar  tooth  may  be  ascer- 
tained by  examining  the  mouth  in  the  manner  already  described.  If 
one  of  the  molars  is  found  to  be  carious  it  should  be  extracted,  if  the 
caries  is  so  extensive  as  to  render  other  means  of  treatment  impracti- 
cable. When  the  crown  of  the  tooth  has  been  destroyed  and  only  the 
stump  or  root  is  left,  extraction  will  be  impracticable.  In  such  cases  it 
is  best  to  sell  the  animal  to  the  butcher. 

ACTINOMYCOSIS   OF   THE   JAWBONES — BIG-JAW — LUMP-JAW. 
[Plates  xxxix,  XLI.] 

The  disease  which  we  have  now  to  consider  is  generally  known  among 
farmers  and  cattle  dealers  under  the  two  latter  designations.  Atten- 
tion is  first  directed  to  the  animal  by  a  swelling  or  enlargement  of  the 
jawbone,  and  the  opinion  generally  expressed  when  such  a  swelling  is 
observed  is  that  the  animal  has  received  some  severe  contusion  which 
has  been  the  starting  point  of  the  swelling.  It  is  found,  however,  that 
when  a  blow  or  contusion  is  the  starting  point  of  such  a  swelling  it 
rarely  if  ever  ulcerates,  and  that  the  continuous  application  of  cold 
water  checks  the  growth  of  a  swelling  which  is  merely  the  result  of 
mechanical  injury.  In  the  disease  we  arc  now  considering,  however, 
the  application  of  cold  water  does  not  exercise  the  least  influence  in 
checking  its  progress.  The  swelling  described  may  affect  either  the 
upper  or  lower  jaw,  or  it  may  affect  both  at  the  same  time,  and  pro- 
duce considerable  swelling  of  the  soft  tissues  as  well  as  enlargement  of 
the  bony  structure.  As  a  result  of  the  swelling  described  the  molar 
teeth  of  the  upper  and  lower  jaws  may  be  pushed  out  of  their  natural 
position  so  that  they  are  no  longer  in  apposition,  and  they  consequently 
can  not  serve  the  purpose  of  masticating  the  food.  It  may  also  happen 
that  from  degeneration  of  the  tooth-sockets  the  teeth  drop  out.  This 
result  may  be  suspected  when  the  animal  becomes  unable  to  masticate 
its  food.  As  a  result  of  ulceration  it  frequently  happens  that  an  open- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  21 

ing  forms  on  the  external  part  of  the  tumor,  and  frequently  a  similar 
destructive  process  forms  an  opening  into  the  mouth  itself. 

In  a  recent  work,  in  treating  of  this  subject,  I  have  remarked  that 
in  some  cases  it  will  be  observed  that  these  swellings,  after  growing 
for  a  short  time,  remain  in  a  stationary  condition — the  growth  appears 
to  be  arrested.  Such  cases  will  not  require  treatment,  as  the  arrest  of 
the  growth  of  the  swelling  is  no  doubt  caused  by  the  death  of  the  para- 
site, which  ceases  to  reproduce  itself  and  thenceforth  becomes  harm- 
less. The  living  parasite,  by  rapidly  reproducing  itself,  extends 
through  the  bony  tissue,  and  by  setting  up  inflammation  causes  a  rapid 
increase  of  the  swelling.  The  aim  of  treatment  then  is  to  destroy  the 
parasite,  thereby  arresting  the  growth  of  the  swelling;  and  this  is  all 
that  can  be  done,  where  the  utmost  success  practicable  is  attained.  The 
importance  of  early  treatment  will,  however,  be  understood  when  it  is 
remembered  that  there  is  a  continued  and  rapid  multiplication  of  the 
parasite,  and  that  this  multiplication  is  attended  with  increasing 
damage  to  the  tissues  of  the  animal  in  which  it  is  lodged. 

Treatment. — When  there  is  an  external  opening  on  the  surface  of  the 
swelling  it  should  be  injected  with  tincture  of  iodine.  When  there  is 
no  external  opening  several  incisions  should  be  made  through  the  skin 
covering  the  swelling,  and  portions  of  the  outer  plate  of  the  jaw-bone 
should  be  removed  with  a  trephine,  and  tincture  of  iodine  injected  into 
the  orifices  thus  made.  This  treatment  should  be  applied  daily,  and 
may  be  continued  until  it  is  apparent  that  the  growth  of  the  swelling 
has  been  checked.  The  iodine  checks  the  growth  of  the  swelling  by 
destroying  the  parasite  whose  continuous  development  is  the  means  of 
setting  up  diseased  action  in  the  bone.  Other  methods  have  been 
applied  in  treating  this  disease,  such  as  burning  the  diseased  bone  with 
the  hot  iron,  which  is  said  to  have  proved  effectual  in  checking  the 
progress  of  the  disease.  But  remedies  whose  action  is  diffused  exten- 
sively through  the  diseased  tissues  are  to  be  preferred  in  treating  a  dis- 
ease of  this  nature. 

INFLAMMATION    OF   MUCOUS    MEMBRANE    OF   MOUTH — STOMATITIS. 

The  membrane  of  the  mouth  may  become  inflamed  by  cattle  eating 
sonif  irritating  substance,  by  eating  acid  plants,  or  little  vesicles  may 
form  in  the  mouths  of  calves  when  they  are  affected  with  indigestion, 
constituting  what  is  termed  aphtha. 

tfymptontH. — The  saliva  dribbles  from  the  mouth,  and  when  it  is  ex- 
amined the  surface  of  the  tongue  and  other  parts  of  the  mouth  will 
appear  red  and  inflamed.  When  young  animals  are  affected  with  the 
t'onu  of  disease  termed  aphtha  small  red  elevations  will  be  observed  on 
the  tongue  and  other  parts  of  the  mouth,  having  little  white  ]K)ints  on 
their  centers,  which  consist  of  the  epithelium  of  the  mucous  membrane 
r.ii>e<l  into  vesicles.  These  white  patches  aie  succeeded  by  ulcerated 


22  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

surfaces,  which  are  exposed  by  the  shedding  of  the  white  patches  of 
epithelium. 

Treatment. — Wheii  there  is  merely  a  reddened  and  inflamed  condition 
of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth,  it  will  suffice  to  syringe  it  out 
several  times  a  day  with  4  ounces  of  the  following  solution :  Alum,  1 
ounce;  water,  2  pints.  When  the  edges  of  the  tongue  and  other  parts 
of  the  mouth  are  studded  with  ulcers  these  should  be  painted  over  once 
a  day  with  the  following  solution  until  the  affected  surface  is  healed : 
lodoforin,  60  grains;  ether,  1  ounce.  When  indigestion  is  associated 
with  an  ulcerated  condition  of  the  mouth  that  disorder  requires  sepa- 
rate treatment. 

GANGRENOUS  STOMATITIS — GANGRENE    OF     THE     MOUTH     IN    YOUNG 

CALVES. 

This  affection  usually  appears  in  young  calves  about  the  time  when 
they  are  cutting  their  molar  teeth. 

Causes. — Insufficient  nourishment,  the  debility  resulting  from  diarrhea 
and  from  inflammation  of  the  umbilicus  (navel)  predispose  animals  to 
this  disease,  and,  as  already  mentioned,  its  development  is  associated 
with  disorder  of  the  digestive  system  resulting  from  the  cutting  of  the 
molar  teeth.  I  may  mention,  however,  that  I  have  seen  this  disease 
affect  cows  quite  severely,  though  they  afterwards  made  a  complete 
recovery.  This  malady  then  may  affect  mature  animals  and  may  arise 
from  conditions  which  at  present  are  unknown.  It  is  asserted  by  Hill, 
in  his  work  on  diseases  of  the  ox,  that  this  is  a  tuberculous  disease,  but 
the  fact  that  animals  may  recover  completely  in  three  or  four  weeks 
renders  it  surprising  that  he  should  have  made  such  a  statement.  That 
the  calf  of  a  tuberculous  cow  may  /  become  affected  with  gangrenous 
stomatitis,  or  that  in  a  few  instances  traces  of  tuberculous  disease  have 
been  found  in  the  bodies  of  animals  that  have  died  from  it,  are  mere 
coincidences,  and  lend  no  weight  to  the  opinion  that  this  malady  is  of 
a  tuberculous  nature.  The  same  writer  says  this  disease  may  assume 
a  diphtheritic  type,  but  diphtheria  is  contagious  and  is  characterized  by 
the  production  of  false  membrane,  while  the  most  prominent  feature  of 
this  disease  is  the  extent  to  which  death  of  the  affected  tissues  takes 
place,  which  differentiates  it  from  both  tuberculosis  and  diphtheria. 

Symptoms. — In  the  early  stage  there  is  redness  of  the  mouth,  from 
which  the  saliva  dribbles,  but  in  two  or  three  days  a  whitish  point 
appears  on  some  part  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth.  It  grad- 
ually extends  in  size  and  depth,  and  a  red,  inflamed  zone  surrounds  the 
affected  part,  which  begins  to  present  a  yellowish,  cheesy  appearance, 
and  then,  as  it  begins  to  break  up  and  decompose,  exhales  a  fetid,  dis- 
agreeable odor.  Sometimes  the  entire  thickness  of  a  portion  of  the 
tissues  composing  the  cheek  becomes  gangrenous.  If  the  decayed  part 
is  uot  removed  by  the  knife  it  is  gradually  separated  from  the  surround- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  23 

ing  living  tissues  by  the  process  of  uleeration.  In  this  way  an  aperture 
will  sometimes  be  formed  in  the  animal's  cheek  through  which  the  saliva 
is  ejected  when  it  is  masticating  its  food.  This  disease  may  be  compli- 
cated by  diarrhea  setting  in,  which  has  an  exhausting  effect  on  the 
animal,  as  is  shown  by  its  frequently  lying  down.  This  malady  often  ter- 
minates in  death,  and  it  runs  its  course  in  from  seven  to  ten  days.  In 
treating  this  disease  in  cows,  however,  I  have  observed  that  complete 
recovery  does  not  take  plac.e  under  three  or  four  weeks.  Its  duration 
will  vary  according  to  the  extent  to  which  the  animal  is  affected. 

Treatment. — Sulphate  of  quinine  should  be  given  to  calves  three 
times  a  day  in  doses  varying  from  5  to  10  grains,  according  to  the  size 
and  age  of  the  animal,  and  should  be  repeated  about  four  times  a  day. 
Half-ounce  doses  of  lime-water  mixed  with  milk  should  be  given  if 
diarrhea  is  present.  When  the  calf  shows  signs  of  debility,  or  diarrhea 
is  present,  whisky  or  brandy  should  be  administered  several  times  a 
day.  The  stimulant  should  be  mixed  with  two  or  three  parts  of  water, 
and  should  be  repeated  three  or  four  times  a  day.  In  the  case  of  cows, 
quinine  should  be  given  in  dram  doses.  When  the  animal's  appetite 
is  poor  or  when  it  is  weak,  whisky  or  brandy  should  be  given  in  half- 
pint  doses  two  or  three  times  a  day,  mixed  with  2  parts  of  water.  To 
cleanse  the  mouth  and  remove  the  fetor  it  should  be  syringed  out  sev- 
eral times  a  day  with  the  following  solution :  Chlorinated  soda,  4  ounces ; 
water,  L'  pints.  When  the  gangrenous  parts  have  sloughed,  then  a 
lotion  composed  of  sulphate  of  copper,  2  drams ;  water,  2  pints,  should 
be  applied  every  day  to  the  raw  surfaces  to  promote  healing.  The  diet 
should  be  nutritious,  and  for  calves  the  cow's  milk  is  to  be  preferred.  The 
gangrenous  tissue  assumes  a  yellow,  cheesy  appearance,  and  the  ani- 
mal's recovery  will  be  hastened  by  removing  dead  tissue  with  the  knife 
and  not  waiting  until  the  process  of  ulceration  separates  it  from  the 
living  parts.  During  the  convalescent  stage  it  is  advisable  to  give 
carbonate  of  iron  in  combination  with  quinine.  It  may  be  given  to 
calves  in  10-grain  doses,  and  to  cows  in  2-dram  doses.  In  concluding 
we  may  mention  that  Longlen,  of  Arras,  was  the  first  veterinarian  to 
publish  an  accurate  and  clear  account  of  this  disease. 

INDURATION   OF   THE    TONGUE — ACTINOMVCOSIS. 

This  disease  commences  with  small  patches  of  a  yellow  color,  which 
may  api>ear  on  the  upper  or  under  surface,  on  the  tip,  or  on  the  sides 
of  the  tongue.  The  mucous  membrane  covering  these  patches  is  thick 
ened,  and  it  soon  breaks  up  into  a  number  of  pimple-like  excrescences 
which  run  together,  and  it  then  ulcerates  and  is  cast  off,  leaving  a  red 
and  excavated  surface.  These  patches  are  found  to  cover  a  number  of 
nodular  bodies,  most  of  which  are  as  largo  as  a  hemp-seed,  though 
some  are  as  large  as  a  cherry  or  a  walnut.  These  nodules,  when  cut 
into,  are  seen  to  be  contused  of  a  yellow,  cheesy-looking  substance, 
which,  when  removed,  leaves  a  sharply  defined  cavity  or  ulcer.  The 


24  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

nodules  may  be  deep  seated,  so  that  they  can  not  be  discovered  by 
examining  the  surface  of  the  tongue,  but  in  this  situation,  instead  of 
producing  ulceratiou  and  destruction  of  the  mucous  membrane,  they 
set  up  inflammation  in  the  muscular  structure  of  the  tongue,  which 
terminates  in  a  marked  enlargement  and  wood-like  induration  of  that 
organ,  which  has  led  to  this  disease  being  commonly  called  "  wooden 
tongue"  in  Germany.  The  enlarged  and  indurated  condition  of  the 
tongue  is  a  great  impediment  to  the  animal  masticating  its  food,  so 
that  if  the  tongue  is  extensively  affected  the  animal  soon  becomes 
emaciated.  Similar  nodules  may  form  on  the  inner  surface  of  the 
cheeks,  of  the  lips,  on  the  surface  of  the  palate,  and  even  in  some 
instances  on  the  mucous  membrane  lining  the  nose. 

Treatment. — When  the  nodules  are  large  they  may  be  dissected  out 
or  scraped  out,  so  as  to  leave  nothing  but  healthy  tissue,  and  afterwards 
dressed  with  tincture  of  iodine.  When  this  procedure  is  not  practica- 
ble an  incision  should  be  made  into  the  nodule,  which  should  then  be 
injected  with  tincture  of  iodine.  This  treatment  destroys  the  micro, 
scopic  fungus  contained  in  the  nodules,  and  will  consequently  prevent 
its  spreading  and  bring  about  its  ultimate  separation  from  the  healthy 
tissues.  It  is  obvious  that  to  treat  this  disease  successfully  its  nature 
must  be  recognized  at  an  early  stage.  After  the  muscular  portion  ol 
the  tongue  has  become  enlarged  and  indurated  it  will  not  be  possible 
to  restore  it  to  its  healthy  condition. 

[Quite  recently  actiuomycosis  of  the  tongue  has  been  treated  with 
great  success  in  Europe  by  the  administration  of  iodide  of  potassium. 
According  to  Nocard,  this  drug  given  once  or  twice  a  day,  in  doses  of 
1£  drams  dissolved  in  a  pint  of  water,  acts  as  a  specific  and  is  followed 
by  rapid  improvement  and  the  permanent  cure  of  the  affected  animal. 
The  results  reported  are  so  extraordinary  that  they  justify  the  trial  of 
this  remedy  in  all  cases  of  actinornycosis  in  the  tongue  or  other  organs. 
D.  E.  S.] 

DISEASES  OF  THE  PHARYNX  AND  GULLET. 
PHARYNGITIS — SORE   THROAT. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  lining  the  pharynx. 
It  is  frequently  associated  with  laryngitis  and  bronchitis,  and  sometimes 
with  pleurisy. 

Symptoms. — The  muzzle  is  dry,  the  saliva  dribbles  from  the  corner  of 
the  mouth;  the  animal  either  does  not  swallow  or  swallows  with  diffi- 
culty; occasionally  the  liquids  which  it  attempts  to  take  come  back  in 
part  through  the  nostrils,  and  the  animal  holds  its  neck  in  a  stiff, 
straight  position,  moving  it  as  little  as  possible.  The  eyelids  are  half 
closed,  the  white  of  the  eye  is  bloodshot,  and  the  animal  occasionally 
grinds  its  teeth.  When  it  attempts  to  eat  hay  or  grass,  after  masticat- 
ing the  food  the  animal  drops  it  out  of  its  mouth  as  if  to  avoid  the 


DISEASES   OF   THE   DIGESTIVE   ORGANS.  25 

-. 

pain  of  swallowing,  and  also  evinces  pain  when  pressure  is  applied  on 
the  pharynx  externally,  and  tries  to  prevent  such  pressure  being 
applied. 

Causes. — Pharyngitis  is  produced  by  a  sudden  cooling  of  the  surface 
of  the  body,  as  when  cattle  are  exposed  to  a  cold  wind  or  a  cold  rain. 

Treatment. — The  throat  should  be  syringed  three  times  a  day  with 
an  ounce  of  the  following  solution:  Xitrate  of  silver,  1£  drams;  dis- 
tilled water,  1  pint.  Bland  and  soothing  drinks,  such  as  linseed  tea, 
oatmeal  and  water,  should  occasionally  be  offered.  Diet  should  consist 
of  soft  food,  such  as  bran  mashes  with  a  little  linseed  meal  mixed  in 
them.  The  upper  part  of  the  throat  and  the  space  between  the  jaws 
should  be  well  rubbed  once  a  day  with  the  following  liniment:  Liquor 
ammonia  fortior,  4  ounces;  oil  of  turpentine,  4  ounces;  olive  oil,  4 
ounces.  Mix.  Under  the  above  treatment  the  inflammation  of  the 
throat  will  gradually  subside  and  the  animal  will  be  able  to  swallow  as 
usual  in  five  or  six  days.  We  need  hardly  say  that  during  its  treat- 
ment the  sick  animal  should  be  kept  in  a  comfortable  stable. 

PAROTITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  parotid  gland  may  arise  from  the  inflammation 
extending  to  it  when  an  ox  is  affected  with  pharyngitis  or  laryngitis, 
or  the  inflammation  may  commence  in  the  salivary  ducts  and  may 
depend  on  some  influence  the  nature  of  which  is  unknown.  Parotitis 
sometimes  arises  from  a  blow  or  contusion  which  is  severe  enough  to 
set  up  inflammation  in  the  structure  of  the  gland. 

Kytnptoms. — There  is  an  elongated  painful  swelling,  beginning  at  the 
base  of  the  ear  and  passing  downward  along  the  posterior  margin  of 
the  lower  jaw.  The  swelling  is  sometimes  limited  to  one  side,  and  when 
both  sides  are  swollen  it  is  generally  larger  on  one  side  than  on  the 
other.  The  secretion  of  saliva  is  increased,  the  appetite  is  poor,  the 
neck  is  stiff  so  that  it  is  painful  to  raise  the  head,  and  food  is  swallowed 
with  difficulty.  In  many  cases  the  swelling  of  those  glands,  when  sub- 
mitted to  proper  treatment,  disappears  in  a  comparatively  short  time. 
In  other  cases,  however,  the  gland  remains  enlarged,  even  alter  the  ani- 
mal recovers  its  appetite. 

Treatment. — A  warm  bran  poultice  should  be  applied  on  the  swollen 
gland,  and  whenever  the  poultice  has  cooled  it  should  be  replaced  by  a 
new  one.  This  treatment  should  be  continued  until  an  abscess  forms, 
which  may  be  ascertained  by  examining  the  surface  of  the  gland  with 
the  fingers,  and  when  on  pressing  any  part  of  the  surface  it  is  found  to 
fluctuate  or  "give,"  then  we  may  conclude  that  an  abscess  has  formed. 
It  is  well  not  to  open  the  abscess  until  the  fluctuation  is  well  marked, 
as  at  this  this  stage  the  pus  or  matter  is  near  the  surface  and  there  is 
less  trouble  in  healing  the  wound  than  if  the  pus  is  deep  seated.  The 
]K>ulticing  should  be  continued  for  two  or  three  days  after  the  abscess 
has  been  opened.  By  that  time  the  discharge  of  pus  has  ceased  or 


26  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

become  very  slight,  and  the  poulticing  may  be  discontinued.  The 
wound  should  be  sponged  with  tepid  water  once  a  day  and  a  little  of 
the  following  lotion  afterwards  applied:  Carbolic  acid,  1  dram;  water, 
8  ounces.  In  some  cases,  after  poulticing  for  four  or  "five  days,  there 
will  be  no  indication  of  softening  at  any  point,  and  that  treatment  may 
therefore  be  discontinued,  and  then  the  swollen  gland  should  be  gently 
rubbed  once  a  day  with  camphorated  oil.  If  this  fails  to  promote 
absorption  or  bring  about  a  gradual  dispersion  of  the  swelling,  then  to 
attain  this  object  the  swelling  may  be  painted  with  tincture  of  iodine 
twice  a  day  or  nibbed  once  a  day  with  compound  iodine  ointment. 
When  the  swollen  gland  is  not  being  poulticed  it  should  be  covered  with 
a  piece  of  flannel.  The  diet  of  the  animal  should  consist  of  soft  food 
while  it  is  under  treatment; . 

PHARYNGEAL   POLYPI. 

Tumors  form  not  infrequently  in  the  pharynx,  and  when  they  increase 
in  size  may  give  rise  to  a  train  of  symptoms  varying  according  to  the 
situation  which  they  occupy  in  that  part.  The  tumor  may  be  so  situ- 
ated that  by  shifting  its  position  a  little  it  may  partially  obstruct  the 
posterior  nares  (nostrils),  when,  of  course,  it  will  render  nasal  breath- 
ing very  noisy  and  labored.  In  another  situation  its  partial  displace- 
ment may  impede  the  entrance  of  air  into  the  larynx.  In  almost  any 
part  of  the  pharynx,  but  especially  near  the  entrance  of  the  gullet,  they 
will  interfere  with  the  act  of  swallowing,  and  this  fact  is  so  generally 
recognized  in  some  parts  of  Germany  that  whenever  an  animal  begins 
to  lose  condition  it  is  said  to  have  a  "  growth  "  in  its  throat.  As  these 
tumors  are  frequently  attached  to  the  wall  of  the  pharynx  by  a  pedicel 
or  stalk,  it  will  be  seen  that  they  may  readily  be  displaced  in  different 
directions  so  as  to  produce  the  symptoms  before  described. 

Treatment. — The  method  of  treatment  followed  in  such  cases  is  to 
separate  the  animal's  jaws  with  an  instrument  termed  a  gag,  and  then 
after  drawing  the  tongue  partially  forward  to  pass  the  hand  into  the 
pharynx  and  to  wrench  or  twist  the  tumor  from  its  attachment.  One 
veterinarian  who  has  had  considerable  practice  in  treating  this  form  of 
disease  scrapes  through  the  attachment  of  the  tumor  gradually  with 
his  thumb  nail.  In  cases  where  the  attachment  is  too  strong  to  be  sev- 
ered in  this  way  an  instrument  like  a  thimble,  but  possessing  a  sharp 
edge  at  the  end,  might  be  used  to  effect  the  same  purpose.  As  it  is 
impossible  to  use  a  knife  in  the  pharynx  the  suggestion  here  made 
might  in  the  future  be  carried  out  with  advantage. 

CHOKING. 

This  accident  usually  happens  from  attempting  to  swallow  too  large 
an  object,  such  as  a  turnip,  potato,  beet,  or  an  apple  or  pear,  though  in 
rare  cases  choking  may  occur  from  bran,  chaff,  or  some  other  finely 


DISEASES    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  27 

divided  food  lodging  in  and  filling  up  a  portion  of  the  gullet.  This 
latter  form  of  the  accident  is  most  likely  to  occur  in  animals  which  are 
greedy  feeders. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  will  vary  somewhat  according  to  the  part 
of  the  gullet  or  throat  in  which  the  obstruction  is  located.  In  most 
cases  there  is  a  discharge  of  saliva  from  the  mouth;  the  animal  coughs 
frequently,  and  when  it  drinks  the  water  is  soon  ejected.  These  symp- 
toms,  however,  are  not  always  present,  as  I  have  seen  a  case  in  which 
a  potato  was  lodged  in  the  upper  part  of  the  gullet,  but  where  there 
was  a  small  space  between  the  wall  of  the  gullet  and  the  obstruction, 
so  that  water  given  by  the  mouth  passed  into  the  stomach,  and  in  this 
case  there  was  neither  coughing  nor  any  other  symptom  of  distress. 
The  potato  was  so  large,  however,  that  there  was  not  space  enough  to 
pass  the  tip  of  the  finger  behind  it  so  as  to  slide  it  into  the  pharynx, 
though  repeated  efforts  were  made  to  withdraw  it  in  this  way  while  it 
was  simultaneously  pushed  from  the  outside  in  an  upward  direction. 
After  the  lapse  of  several  hours  it  passed  into  the  stomach  of  itself. 

Treatment — It  is  always  ad visablo  to  put  a  gag  in  the  animal's  mouth, 
and  while  the  head  is  held  in  a  horizontal  direction  by  two  assistants 
to  pass  the  hand  into  the  pharynx,  and  when  any  foreign  body  is  found 
in  the  pharynx  to  withdraw  it  gradually  and  steadily.  When  the  sub- 
stance is  lodged  in  the  upper  part  of  the  gullet  pressure  should  be 
inath-  by  an  assistant  in  an  upward  direction  while  the  operator  passes 
his  hand  into  the  pharynx,  and  if  the  assistant  can  not  by  pressure  dis- 
lodge the  substance  from  the  gullet  the  operator  may  by  passing  his 
middle  finger  above  and  partly  behind  the  substance  gradually  slide 
the  object  into  the  pharynx  and  then  withdraw  it  by  the  mouth.  It  is 
usually  stated  that  irregular  shaped  objects  are  more  difficult  to  manip- 
ulate. This  statement,  however,  is  of  doubtful  accuracy,  as  a  root  with 
a  >mooth  surface,  which  nearly  fits  the  upper  part  of  the  gullet,  will  be 
found  extremely  difficult  to  move  from  its  position.  The  presence  of 
an  obstructing  substance  in  the  cervical  portion  of  the  gullet  may  be 
ascertained  by  passing  the  hand  along  the  left  side  of  the  neck,  when 
a  hard  and  painless  swelling  will  IK?  found  to  indicate  the  presence  of  the 
foreign  body.  In  such  cases  we  must  endeavor  by  gentle  and  persever- 
ing pressure  with  the  thumb  and  two  next  fingers  to  slide  the  obstruct- 
ing substance  gradually  upward  to  the  pharynx.  To  facilitate  this  it  is 
well  to  give  the  animal  a  wineglassful  of  olive  oil  before  the  manipula- 
tions described  are  commenced.  When  the  substance  has  been  brought 
into  or  nearly  into  the  pharynx,  then  the  month  gag  should  be  used, 
the  tongue  drawn  partially  forward  with  the  left  hand,  and  the  right 
should  be  passed  forward  into  the  pharynx,  so  as  to  withdraw  the 
obstruction.  When  bran  or  chaff  causes  the  trouble  it  is  best  to  give  a 
-mall  quantity  of  oil  to  lubricate  the  walls  of  the  gullet  and  then  by 
gentle  and  persevering  pressure  to  endeavor  to  separate  and  divide  the 
mass  and  then  to  work  it  downward  toward  the  stomach.  This  will  be 


28  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

assisted  by  pouring  small  quantities  of  oil  and  water  clown  the  animal's 
throat.  It  is  not  advisable  to  use  the  probang  to  push  down  any  soft 
material  such  as  oats  or  chaff,  as  this  generally  condenses  and  renders 
firmer  the  obstructing  substance  by  pressing  its  particles  or  elements 
together,  so  that  it  forms  a  solid,  resisting  mass  which  can  not  be  moved. 

In  some  cases  the  foreign  body  can  not  be  dislodged  from  the  neck 
by  pressing  and  manipulating  that  part  externally.  In  such  an  event 
we  must  resort  to  the  use  of  the  probang,  or  if  the  foreign  body  is 
lodged  in  that  part  of  the  gullet  which  passes  through  the  thorax  or 
chest,  there  is  no  way  of  removing  an  obstruction  so  situated  except 
by  using  the  probang.  (Plate  in,  Figs.  2,  3.)  The  instrument  usually 
employed  for  this  purpose  is  called  the  probang  of  Miinro,  after  its 
inventor.  Before  passing  the  probang  a  gag  is  introduced  into  the 
animal's  mouth,  and  the  gag  should  have  an  aperture  at  each  end  from 
which  a  strap  passes  and  is  buckled  at  the  back  of  the  head  below  the 
horns.  (Plate  in,  Fig.  4.)  The  probang  should  then  be  oiled,  and  the 
head  and  neck  being  held  in  a  straight  line  by  two  assistants,  the  tongue 
must  be  partly  drawn  out  of  the  mouth,  the  probang  cautiously  passed 
along  the  roof  of  the  mouth  into  the  pharynx  and  thence  into  the  gullet, 
through  which  it  is  passed  down.  If  resistance  is  met,  gentle  and 
continuous  pressure  must  be  employed,  under  the  influence  of  which 
the  agent  wrill  generally  in  a  short  time  pass  into  the  stomach.  A  pro- 
bang  is  a  flexible  instrument,  and  adapts  itself  to  the  natural  curva- 
ture of  the  gullet,  so  that  if  it  is  used  cautiously  there  is  not  much  risk 
of  injury. 

Some  writers  have  advised  that  when  the  obstruction  is  lodged  in 
the  cervical  (neck)  portion  of  the  gullet  it  should  be  struck  with  a  mal- 
let, so  as  to  crush  it  and  thus  alter  its  shape  so  that  it  may  easily  slip 
down  into  the  stomach.  If  the  obstructing  substance  is  hard,  this  will 
be  a  dangerous  operation,  but  if  soft,  as  in  case  of  a  ripe  pear  for  exam- 
ple, this  proceeding  might  be  safely  adopted. 

In  all  cases  where  pressure  applied  on  the  neck  fails  to  move  the 
obstruction  and  the  probang  also  fails  to  move  it,  the  gullet  must 
be  opened  and  the  obstructing  substance  removed  through  the  wound. 
In  such  cases  the  assistance  of  a  veterinarian  or  a  surgeon  must  be 
obtained. 

WOUNDS   AND   INJURIES   OF    THE    GULLET. 

Sometimes  from  the  rash  and  too  forcible  use  of  the  probang  the  walls 
of  the  gullet  may  be  more  or  less  lacerated  or  abraded,  and  the  animal 
consequently  swallows  with  pain  and  difficulty.  In  such  cases  dry  feed 
must  be  withheld  for  five  or  six  days,  so  as  to  allow  the  injured  parts 
to  heal,  and  the  diet  must  be  limited  to  linseed  tea,  hay  tea,  and  thin 
oatmeal  gruel.  The  same  kind  of  diet  must  be  fed  after  the  operation 
of  cutting  into  the  gullet  has  been  performed. 

Sometimes  the  gullet  is  ruptured  and  lacerated  to  such  an  extent 
that  treatment  of  any  kind  is  hopeless.  I  have  known  this  to  occur 


DISEASES   OF   THE   DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  29 

when  the  handle  of  a  pitchfork  has  been  pushed  down  a  cow's  throat  to 
remove  an  obstruction.  Where  such  treatment  has  been  applied  it  is 
best  to  slaughter  the  animal  without  delay,  as  the  flesh  may  be  utilized, 
and  remedial  treatment  would  be  hopeless.  In  this  connection  it  may 
be  mentioned  that  whatever  substitute  may  be  used  for  a  probang, 
which  sometimes  is  not  at  hand,  it  should  be  flexible  and  should  possess 
a  smooth  surface.  The  handle  of  a  whipfc  when  it  is  flexible,  may  be 
used  in  emergencies. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  STOMACH. 
TYMPANITES,  HOVEN,  OR  BLOATING. 

This  disease  is  characterized  by  swelling  of  the  left  flank,  and  is 
caused  by  the  formation  of  gas  in  the  rumen  or  paunch.  (See  Plates  I 
and  H.) 

Causes. — Tympanites  may  be  caused  by  any  kind  of  food  which  pro- 
duces indigestion.  When  cattle  are  first  turned  into  young  clover  they 
eat  so  greedily  of  it  that  tympanites  frequently  results;  turnips,  pota- 
toes, and  cabbage  may  also  cause  it;  middlings  andcornmeal  also  fre- 
quently give  rise  to  it.  In  this  connection  it  may  be  stated  that  an 
excessive  quantity  of  any  of  the  before-mentioned  foods  may  bring  on 
this  disorder,  or  it  may  not  be  due  to  excess  but  to  eating  too  hastily. 
Sometimes  the  quality  of  the  food  is  at  fault.  Grass  or  clover  when 
wet  by  dew  or  rain  frequently  disorders  digestion  and  brings  on  tym- 
panites; frozen  roots  or  pastures  covered  with  hoar-frost  should  also  be 
regarded  as  dangerous.  When  food  has  been  eaten  too  hastily,  or 
when  it  is  cold  and  wet,  the  digestive  process  is  imperfectly  performed 
and  the  food  contained  in  the  paunch  ferments,  during  which  process 
large  quantities  of  gas  are  formed.  The  same  result  may  follow  when 
a  cow  is  choked,  as  the  obstruction  in  the  gullet  prevents  the  eructation 
or  passing  up  of  gas  from  the  stomach,  so  that  the  gas  continues  to 
accumulate  until  tympanitis  results. 

Symptoms. — The  swelling  of  the  left  flank  is  very  characteristic,  as  in 
well-marked  cases  the  flank  at  its  upper  part  rises  above  the  level  of 
,  the  backbone  and  when  struck  with  the  tips  of  the  lingers  emits  a 
drumlike  sound.  The  animal  has  an  anxious  expression,  moves  uneasily, 
and  is  evidently  distressed.  If  relief  is  not  obtained  in  time  it  breathes 
with  difficulty,  reels  in  walking  or  in  standing,  and  in  a  short  time  falls 
down  and  dies  from  suffocation.  The  distention  of  the  stomach  may 
become  so  great  as  to  prevent  the  animal  from  breathing,  and  in  some 
instances  the  case  may  be  complicated  by  rupture  of  the  stomach. 

Treatment. — In  urgent  cases  the  trocar  should  be  used  immediately, 
for  when  the  distension  of  the  stomach  has  become  extreme  there  is  no 
trying  the  remedial  effect  of  medicine.  The  trocar  is  a  sharp-pointed 
instrument  encased  in  a  sheath,  which  leaves  the  sharp  point  of  the 
trocar  free.  (See  Plate  in,  Figs.  5a  and  56.)  In  selecting  the  point 


30  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

for  using  the  trocar,  a  spot  equally  distant  from  the  last  rib,  the  hip 
bone  and  the  transverse  processes  of  the  lumbar  vertebrae  must  be 
chosen.  Here  an  incision  about  three-quarters  of  an  inch  long-  should 
be  made  through  the  skin,  and  then  the  sharp  point  of  the  trocar 
being  directed  downward,  inward  and  slightly  forward,  is  thrust  into 
the  paunch.  (Plate  I.)  The  sheath  of  the  trocar  should  be  left  in  the 
paunch  as  long  as  any  gas  .continues  to  issue  from  it.  If  the  canula 
or  sheath  of  the  trocar  is  removed  while  gas  is  still  forming  in  the 
paunch  and  the  left  flank  becomes  considerably  swollen  it  may  be 
necessary  to  insert  it  again.  It  is  well  accordingly  to  observe  the  can- 
ula closely  and  if  gas  is  found  to  be  issuing  from  it,  it  should  not  be 
removed.  In  order  to  be  certain  on  this  point  I  have  been  in  the  habit 
of  placing  the  palm  of  iny  hand  about  2  inches  above  the  mouth  of  the 
canula,  when  if  gas  is  issuing  the  sensation  produced  by  the  current  of 
gas  coming  against  the  skin  will  enable  one  to  form  an  accurate  opinion. 
When  gas  issues  from  the  canula  in  considerable  quantity  the  sound 
accompanying  its  escape  renders  the  exact  condition  obvious.  It  is 
occasionally  necessary  to  keep  the  canula  in  the  stomach  for  several 
hours.  When  this  is  necessary  a  piece  of  stout  cord  should  be  passed 
round  the  neck  of  the  canula  immediately  below  the  projecting  rim, 
and  then  be  passed  round  the  animal's  body  and  tied  in  a  secure  knot. 
The  rim  surrounding  the  mouth  of  the  canula  should  be  in  contact 
with  the  skin.  When  the  canula  is  secured  as  described  it  may  remain 
in  the  stomach  over  night.  I  have  even  found  it  necessary  to  keep  it 
in  that  position  for  two  days.  But  whenever  the  person  in  charge  of 
the  cow  is  satisfied  that  gas  has  ceased  to  issue  from  the  canula  it  should 
be  removed. 

The  canula  is  only  to  be  employed  in  extreme  or  urgent  cases,  though 
everyone  who  has  had  experience  in  treating  indigestion  in  cattle  will 
realize  that  he  has  saved  the  lives  of  many  animals  by  its  prompt  appli- 
cation. When  the  tympanic  animal  is  not  distressed,  and  the  swelling 
of  the  flank  is  not  great,  it  is  best  to  resort  to  the  administration  of 
internal  medicine.  Two  ounces  of  aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia  should 
be  given  every  half  hour  in  a  quart  of  cold  water,  or  half  an  ounce  of 
chloride  of  lime  may  be  dissolved  in  a  pint  of  tepid  water,  and  the  dose 
repeated  every  half  hour  until  the  bloating  has  subsided.  It  is  gener- 
ally necessary  to  give  a  dose  of  purgative  medicine  after  bloating  has 
subsided,  as  animals  frequently  show  symptoms  of  constipation  after 
attacks  of  indigestion.  When  the  bloating  is  not  too  great  gentle  walk- 
ing exercise  will  facilitate  the  removal  of  the  gas. 

i 

CHRONIC    TYMPANITES. 

Cattle,  especially  those  which  have  been  kept  in  the  stable  all  winter, 
are  liable  to  suffer  from  chronic  tympanites.  In  this  form  the  animal 
bloats  up  after  feeding,  but  seldom  swells  so  much  as  to  cause  any 
alarm.  The  chronic  form  of  indigestion  may  also  follow  an  acute  attack 
like  that  previously  described. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  31 

Treatment  should  be  preceded  by  a  moderate  dose  of  purgative  medi- 
cine: one  pound  of  sulphate  of  magnesia,  half  an  ounce  of  powdered 
Barbadoes  aloes,  1  ounce  of  powdered  ginger,  1  pint  of  molasses.  The 
powder  should  be  stirred  up  for  a  few  minutes  with  two  quarts  of  luke- 
warm water,  then  the  molasses  should  be  added,  and  after  all  the 
ingredients  have  been  stirred  together  for  about  ten  minutes,  the  dose 
should  be  administered.  It  will  generally  be  necessary  after  the  opera- 
tion of  the  purgative  to  give  some  tonic  and  antacid  preparation  to  pro- 
mote digestion,  which  is  imperfectly  performed  in  such  cases.  We 
recommend  the  following  for  this  purpose :  Powdered  gentian,  3  ounces; 
powdered  bicarbonate  of  potash,  3  ounces;  powdered  ginger,  3  ounces; 
powdered  capsicum,  1  ounce.  Mix  and  divide  into  twelve  powders,  one 
of  which  should  be  given  three  times  a  day  before  feeding,  shaken  up 
with  half  a  pint  of  whisky  and  a  pint  of  water.  It  is  also  advantageous 
in  such  cases  to  give  two  heaped  teaspooufuls  of  wood  charcoal,  mixed 
with  the  animal's  feed  three  times  a  day.  The  animal  should  also  go 
out  during  the  day,  as  want  of  exercise  favors  the  continuance  of  this 
form  of  indigestion. 

Cases  occasionally  occur  which  resist  medical  treatment.  Chronic 
indigestion  has  sometimes  been  found  to  arise  from  enlarged  lymphatic 
glands  pressing  on  the  gullet  and  preventing  the  eructation  or  belch- 
ing up  of  gas  which  occurs  during  digestion.  Cruzel  expresses  the 
opinion  that  this  form  of  tympanitis  occurs  in  animals  affected  with 
tuberculosis,  and  remarks  that  the  swelling  of  the  flank  disappears 
when  the  animal  stands,  but  reappears  when  it  lies  down. 

DISTENSION    OF   RUMEN    OR    PAUNCH   WITH   FOOD. 

This  form  of  indigestion  is  caused  by  the  animal  gorging  itself  with 
food,  and  arises  more  from  the  animal's  voracious  appetite  than  from 
any  defect  in  the  quality  of  the  food  supplied  to  it.  In  cases  of  this 
kind  there  is  comparatively  no  great  formation  of  gas,  and  the  gas 
which  is  formed  is  diffused  through  the  stomach  instead  of  accumu- 
lating in  a  layer  in  its  upper  part.  On  pressing  the  flank  with  the 
closed  fist  the  indent  of  the  hand  remains  for  a  short  time  in  the 
tlank,  as  if  the  rumen  were  filled  with  a  soft  doughy  mass.  This  form 
of  indigestion  should  be  treated  by  stimulants,  such  as  have  been 
described  in  speaking  of  the  two  preceding  diseases.  But  if  the  treat- 
ment applied  fails  and  the  impacted  or  overloaded  condition  of  the 
rumen  continues,  an  incision  should  l>e  made  with  a  sharp,  long-bladed 
knife  in  the  left  Hank,  commencing  at  the  point  whore  it  is  usual  to 
puncture  an  ox,  and  prolonging  the  incision  in  a  downward  direction 
until  it  is  long  enough  to  admit  the  hand.  When  the  point  of  the  knife 
is  thrust  into  the  flunk  and  the  blade  of  the  knife  cuts  downward,  the 
wall  of  the  stomach,  the  muscle  and  the  skin  should  all  bo  cut  through 
at  the  same  time.  Two  assistants  should  hold  the  edges  of  the  wound 
together  so  as  to  prevent  any  food  slipping  between  tho  Hank  and  the 


32  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

wall  of  the  stomach,  and  then  the  operator  should  remove  two-thirds  of 
the  contents  of  the  rumen.  This  having  been  done  the  edges  of  the 
wound  should  be  sponged  with  a  little  carbolized  warm  water,  and  the 
lips  of  the  wound  in  the  rumen  being  turned  inward  they  should  be 
brought  together  with  catgut  stitches.  The  wound  penetrating  the 
muscle  and  the  skin  may  then  be  brought  together  by  silk  stitchesl 
which  should  pass  through  the  entire  thickness  of  the  muscle  and 
should  be  about  1  inch  apart.  The  wound  should  afterwards  be  dressed 
once  a  day  with  lotion  and  the  animal  covered  with  a  tight  linen  sheet 
to  protect  the  wound  from  insects  and  dirt.  The  lotion  to  be  used  in 
such  a  case  is  made  up  as  follows :  Sulphate  of  zinc,  1  dram ;  carbolic 
acid,  2  drams;  glycerin,  2  ounces;  water,  14  ounces;  mix. 

LOSS  OF  CUD. 

It  is  very  common  among  farmers,  when  a  cow  or  ox  is  ailing,  to  say 
that  the  sick  animal  has  lost  its  cud.  If  it  is  meant  that  the  animal, 
does  not  ruminate  or  chew  the  cud,  and  that  it  consequently  must  be 
sick,  no  fault  can  be  found  with  the  expression.  In  most  cases,  how- 
ever, the  remark  is  not  intended  to  convey  the  idea  that  the  animal 
does  not  ruminate,  but  that  the  loss  of  cud  is  a  disease  in  itself.  We 
may  here  observe  that  loss  of  cud  is  a  symptom  of  suspended  rumina- 
tion (Plate  n)  and  shows  that  the  animal's  digestive  functions  are  not 
performed  as  regularly  as  usual.  It  is  a  symptom  of  a  great  many 
diseases,  and  when  its  existence  is  detected  it  should  lead  the  observer 
to  try  and  discover  other  symptoms,  so  that  on  those  he  may  base  a 
correct  opinion  as  to  the  nature  of  the  disease  from  which  the  animal 
suffers. 

VOMITING. 

This  is  not  to  be  confounded  with  rumination,  though  some  writers 
have  advanced  the  opinion  that  vomiting  is  merely  a  disordered  and 
irregular  rumination.  It  is  not  of  common  occurrence  in  cattle,  though 
as  it  sometimes  occurs  it  is  well  that  a  description  of  it  should  be 
given. 

Symptoms. — Animals  which  vomit  are  frequently  in  poor  condition. 
After  having  eaten  tranquilly  for  some  time  the  animal  suddenly 
becomes  uneasy,  arches  the  back,  stretches  the  neck  and  head  and 
then  suddenly  ejects  10  or  12  pounds  of  the  contents  of  the  rumen. 
After  having  done  this,  uneasiness  subsides  and  in  a  short  time  the 
animal  resumes  eating  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 

Causes. — The  causes  of  this  disordered  state  of  the  digestive  system 
in  cattle  are  rather  obscure.  It  is  evident  that  the  vomited  matter  pro- 
ceeds from  the  rumen,  and  it  appears  to  show  some  temporary  nervous 
disorder  of  that  part.  It  has  been  found  to  occur  when  there  was  can- 
cerous disease  of  the  fourth  stomach,  and  experimentally  it  has  been 


DISEASES    OP   THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  33 

shown  that  a  suspension  of  digestion  or  great  derangement  of  the  fourth 
stomach  produces  considerable  nervous  disorder  of  the  rumen  and  some- 
times vomiting  or  attempt  to  vomit. 

Treatment. — Easily  digested  food  and  plenty  of  water  should  be  given. 
Fear  and  excitement,  chasing  or  hurrying  animals  after  eating  heartily, 
are  apt  to  bring  on  this  result.  In  order  to  remove  the  conditions  which 
produce  vomiting  the  following  draft  should  be  given:  Hydrate  of 
chloral,  half  an  ounce;  whisky,  8  ounces;  water,  1  pint.  The  dose  to 
be  repeated  when  the  condition  of  the  animal  seems  to  require  it. 

DEPRAVED  APPETITE — PICA. 

Cattle  suffering  from  this  disease  have  a  capricious  and  variable  appe 
tite  as  regards  their  ordinary  food,  but  evince  a  strong  desire  to  lick  and 
eat  substances  for  which  healthy  cattle  show  no  inclination.  Alkaline 
and  saline  tasting  substances  are  especially  attractive  to  cattle  having 
a  depraved  appetite,  and  they  frequently  lick  lime,  earth,  coal,  gravel, 
and  even  the  dung  of  other  cattle.  Cows  in  calf  and  young  cattle  are 
especially  liable  to  develop  those  symptoms.  Animals  affected  in  this 
way  lose  condition,  their  coat  is  staring,  gait  slow,  and  small  vesicles 
containing  yellow  liquid  form  under  the  tongue ;  the  milk  given  by  cows 
is  thin  and  watery.  Such  animals  become  restless  and  uneasy,  as  is 
indicated  by  frequent  bellowing.  The  disease  may  last  for  months,  the 
animal  ultimately  dying,  worn  out  by  fever.  Depraved  appetite  fre- 
quently precedes  the  condition  in  which  the  bones  of  cattle  become  brit- 
tle and  fracture  easily,  and  which  is  known  by  the  name  of  osteomalacia. 

Causes. — Bad  food,  especially  food  which  has  undergone  changes 
which  lessen  its  digestibility  and  impair  its  nutritive  value,  is  the  com- 
mon cause.  It  has  been  stated  that  the  food  of  which  animals  partake 
previous  to  becoming  affected  with  this  disease  must  be  deficient  in 
some  of  the  constituents  required  to  supply  the  wear  and  growth  of 
the  body,  and  especially  that  there  is  a  deficiency  of  lime  salts.  Cattle 
pastured  on  low,  swampy  land  become  predisposed  to  it.  It  occasion- 
ally happens,  however,  that  one  individual  in  a  herd  suffers  though  all 
arc  fed  alike;  in  such  cases  the  disease  must  arise  from  the  affected 
animal  not  assimilating  properly  the  nutritive  elements  of  the  food 
which  is  supplied  to  it. 

Treatment. — The  aim  in  Riich  cases  must  be  to  improve  the  process 
of  digestion  and  to  supply  the  animal  with  a  sufficiency  of  sound  and 
•wholesome  food.  The  following  should  be  given  to  the  cow  three  times 
a  day,  a  heaped  tablespoonful  constituting  a  dose:  Carbonate  of  iron, 
4  ounces;  powdered  gentian,  4  ounces;  common  salt,  4  ounces;  pow- 
dered fenugreek,  4  ounces;  mix.  In  addition  to  this  three  tublo- 
Bpoonfuls  of  powdered  charcoal  should  be  mixed  with  the  animal's 
food  at  least  three  times  a  day,  and  a  piece  of  rock  salt  should  be 
placed  where  the  animal  can  lick  it  at  will. 
24C97 3 


34  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

HAIR   CONCRETIONS. 

These  concretions  or  hair-balls  are  produced  by  animals  licking 
themselves,  or  by  their  licking  other  animals.  As  a  result  of  this  habit 
the  hairs  which  are  swallowed  are  carried  round  by  the  contractions  of 
the  stomach  and  gradually  assume  the  form  of  a  small  pellet  or  ball. 
These  increase  in  size  as  fresh  quantities  of  hair  are  introduced  into  the 
stomach,  which  become  adherent  to  the  surface  of  the  hair-ball.  These 
hair-balls  are  found  most  frequently  in  the  reticulum  or  second  stom- 
ach (Plate  n),  though  sometimes  in  the  rumen.  In  calves  hair-balls 
are  generally  found  in  the  fourth  stomach.  There  are  no  certain  symp- 
toms by  which  we  can  determine  the  presence  of  hair-balls  in  the 
stomach,  and  therefore  no  treatment  can  be  recommended  for  such 
cases.  In  making  post-mortem  examinations  of  cattle  we  have  some- 
times found  the  walls  of  the  reticulum  transfixed  with  nails  or  pieces 
of  wire,  and  yet  the  animal  during  life  had  not  shown  any  symptoms 
of  indigestion,  but  had  died  from  maladies  not  involving  the  second 
stomach. 

INDIGESTION  OF  THE  THIRD  STOMACH — GRASS   STAGGERS — DRY  MUR- 
RAIN— WOOD-EVIL,. 

The  various  names  which  have  been  applied  to  this  disease  indicate 
that  those  who  have  written  concerning  it  arc  by  no  means  agreed  as 
to  its  nature  and  cause.  Among  systematic  writers,  however,  there 
seems  to  be  a  general  agreement  that  the  seat  of  the  disease  is  in  the 
third  stomach,  as  they  have  followed  one  another  faithfully  in  describ- 
ing that  part  as  the  sole  seat  of  trouble.  We  think  it  more  correct  to 
regard  this  as  a  general  disorder  of  the  tligestive  organs,  and  that  the 
third  stomach  merely  participates  in  the  disordered  functions  of  the 
other  stomachs. 

Catties. — Want  of  exercise  predisposes  to  this  disease,  or  food  which 
is  coarse  and  indigestible  may  after  a  time  produce  this  condition. 
Food  which  possesses  astringent  properties  and  tends  to  check  secre- 
tion may  also  act  as  an  exciting  cause.  Food  in  excessive  quantity 
may  also  lead  to  disorder  of  digestion  and  to  this  disease.  It  is  very 
likely  to  appear  towards  the  end  of  protracted  seasons  of  drought, 
therefore  a  deficiency  of  water  must  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  condi- 
tions which  favor  its  development.  However,  we  think  it  best  to  state 
that  the  causation  of  this  disease  is  not  at  present  completely  under- 
stood, and  that  cases  may  sometimes  occur  in  which  the  explanations 
offered  as  to  their  cause  are  mere  conjecture. 

Symptoms. — Diminished  appetite,  rumination  irregular,  tongue  coated, 
month  slimy,  dung  passed  apparently  not  well  digested  and  smelling 
badly,  dullness  and  fullness  of  the  flanks.  It  is  also  frequently  stated 
that  on  pressing  the  fist  below  the  short  ribs  on  the  right  side  the 
third  stomach  will  be  found  as  a  hard  sort  of  mass  in  that  situation. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  35 

The  disease  may  in  some  cases  assume  a  chronic  character,  and  in 
addition  to  the  foregoing  symptoms  slight  bloating  or  tympanitis  of  the 
left  flank  may  be  observed;  the  animal  breathes  with  effort  and  each 
respiration  may  be  accompanied  by  a  grunt,  the  ears  and  horns  are 
alternately  hot  and  cold,  rumination  ceases,  the  usual  rumbling  sound 
in  the  stomach  is  not  audible,  the  passage  of  dung  is  almost  entirely 
suspended,  and  the  animal  passes  only  a  little  mucus  occasionally. 
The  patient  falls  away  in  flesh  and  becomes  weaker,  as  is  shown  by 
one  frequently  finding  it  lying  down.  "When  the  animal  falls  into  this 
weak  and  exhausted  condition  the  disease  frequently  terminates  fatally. 

On  examining  animals  which  have  died  of  this  disease  a  dry  and 

what  hardened  condition  of  the  contents  of  the  third  stomach  is 

found.    In  other  cases  the  stomachs  and  their  contents  present  a  natural 

appearance,  and  we  may  remark  in  this  connection  that  in  the  latter 

class  of  cases  the  causation  of  the  disease  has  yet  to  be  explained. 

In  some  cases  the  brain  becomes  disordered,  no  doubt  from  the  de- 
ranged condition  of  the  stomach  reaching  the  brain  through  what  is 
termed  reflex  action.  There  is  weakness  and  an  unsteady  gait,  the 
animal  does  not  appear  to  take  notice  of  and  will  consequently  run 
against  obstacles;  after  a  time  it  falls  down  and  gives  up  to  violent 
and  disordered  movements.  This  delirious  condition  is  succeeded  by 
coma  or  stupor,  and  death  ensues. 

Treatment. — Aromatic  and  demulcent  draughts  should  be  given  to 
produce  a  soothing  effect  on  the  mucous  lining  of  the  stomachs  and  to 
promote  digestion.  Two  ounces  of  charnomile  flowers  should  be  boiled 
for  twenty  minutes  in  a  quart  of  water  and  the  infusion  on  cooling 
shotild  be  given  to  the  affected  animal.  This  should  be  repeated  about 
three  times  a  day.  When  constipation  i  s  present  the  following  purga- 
tive may  be  administered:  Sulphate  of  magnesia,  1  pound;  Barbadoes 
aloes,  half  an  ounce;  powdered  ginger,  1  ounce;  powdered -nux  vomica, 
1  dram;  fluid  extract  of  belladonna,  half  an  ounce.  The  different  pow- 
ders contained  in  this  prescription  should  bjp  stirred  up  in  2  quarts  of 
lukewarm  water,  then  the  fluid  extract  of  belladonna  added  and  the 
dose  administered.  After  this  purgative  has  acted,  if  there  is  a  lack  of 
appetite  and  the  animal  does  not  ruminate  regularly,  the  powder  men- 
tioned in  remarks  on  the  treatment  of  chronic  tympanitis  should  be 
given  according  to  directions.  The  diet  must  be  rather  laxative  and  of 
a  digestible  character  after  an  attack  of  this  form  of  indigestion.  Food 
should  be  given  in  moderate  quantities,  as  any  excess  by  overtasking 
the  digestive  functions  may  bring  on  a  relapse. 

INDIGESTION    FROM   DRINKING   COLD    WATER— COLIC. 

This  disorder  is  produced  by  drinking  copiously  of  cold  water,  which 
arrests  digestion  and  produces  cramp  of  the  fourth  stomach,  probably 
of  the  other  stomachs,  and  also  of  the  bowels.  Cruzc!  states  th:it  it  is 
frequently  observed  in  working  oxen  during  hot  weather. 


36  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Causes. — It  is  not  customary  for  the  ox  to  drink  much  water  at  once. 
In  fact  he  usually  drinks  slowly,  and  as  if  he  were  merely  tasting  the 
water,  letting  some  fall  out  at  the  corners  of  his  mouth  at  every  mouth- 
ful. He  drinks  much  less  in  proportion  to  his  size  than  the  horse,  and 
when  fed  on  green  food  or  at  pasture  he  may  pass  several  days  without 
drinking.  It  would,  therefore,  seem  to  be  contrary  to  the  habits  of  the 
ox  to  drink  largely.  But  we  find  that  during  hot  weather,  when  he  has 
been  working  and  is  consequently  very  thirsty,  if  he  drinks  a  large 
quantity  of  cold  water  he  is  immediately  taken  with  a  very  severe  colic. 
Though  Cruzel,  a  French  writer  on  the  diseases  of  the  ox,  is, of  opinion 
that  these  are  the  only  conditions  under  which  this  form  of  colic  arises, 
I  have  known  it  to  affect  milch  cows  quite  severely  in  winter,  when  they 
are  let  out  of  a  warm  stable  to  be  watered.  Cows  which  are  fed  largely 
on  dry  hay  drink  copiously,  like  the  working  ox,  and  become  affected 
in  precisely  the  same  manner.  But  the  secretion  of  milk  in  the  cow  is 
usually  much  diminished  after  such  attacks.  In  such  cases  I  have  also 
observed  that  they  are  seized  with  a  chill  or  fit  of  trembling  before  the 
cramps  come  on. 

Symptoms. — There  is  some  distension  of  the  abdomen,  but  no  accumu- 
lation of  gas.  As  the  distension  and  pain  occur  immediately  after  the 
animal  has  drunk  the  water  there  can  not  be  any  doubt  as  to  the  excit- 
ing cause.  Cruzel,  in  speaking  of  the  treatment  of  this  disease,  says  it 
is  customary  among  French  farmers  to  walk  or  even  trot  the  ox  up  and 
down,  and  that  as  a  result  of  this  treatment  the  water  passes  from  the 
fourth  stomach  into  the  bowel,  from  which  it  is  soon  passed  off  not  much 
changed,  except  that  it  is  slightly  colored  by  the  substances  with  which 
it  has  come  in  contact  in  passing  through  the  bowel.  Diarrhea  then 
appears  to  be  a  favorable  termination  of  this  affection. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  above  described  should  be  adopted  in  a 
modified  form.  It  is  obviously  dangerous  to  trot  an  animal  whose 
stomach  and  bowels  are  largely  distended  with  water,  but  it  appears 
rational  to  walk  the  animal  about  for  ten  minutes  before  administering 
medicine,  as  this  allows  time  for  a  portion  of  the  contents  of  the  stom- 
ach to  pass  into  the  bowel,  and  renders  it  safer  to  give  medicine.  In 
many  cases  the  walking  exercise  and  the  diarrhea  bring  about  a  spon- 
taneous cure  of  this  disorder,  but  as  in  some  instances  the  cramps  and 
pains  of  the  stomachs  persist,  I  have  been  accustomed  to  give  1 
ounce  of  sulphuric  ether  and  1  ounce  of  tincture  of  opium,  shaken  up 
with  a  pint  of  warm  water,  and  to  repeat  the  dose  in  half  an  hour  if  the 
animal  is  not  relieved.  In  an  emergency  when  medicine  is  not  to  be 
had,  half  a  pint  of  whisky  may  be  substituted  for  medicine,  and  should 
be  given  mixed  with  a  pint  of  warm  water ;  or  a  tablespoonful  of  pow- 
dered ginger  may  be  administered  in  the  same  way  as  the  remedies 
already  mentioned.  I  have  never  seen  a  case  of  this  kind  terminate 
fatally,  but  Cruzel  mentions  that  he  has  witnessed  tv/o  fatal  cases.  In 
both  the  fourth  stomach  was  congested,  and  in  one  case  there  was  a 


DISEASES   OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  37 

rupture  of  a  part  of  the  small  intestine.  In  both  of  those  cases  the  ani- 
mals were  compelled  to  trot  forward  and  back,  and  it  seems  reasonable 
to  infer  that  this  treatment  was  the  cause  of  their  death. 

INDIGESTION     IN     CALVES — GASTRIC     CATARRH — DIARRHEA — WHITE 

SCOUR. 

Sucking  calves  are  subject  to  a  form  of  diarrhea  to  which  the  above 
designations  have  been  applied. 

Causes. — Calves  which  suck  their  dams  are  not  frequently  affected 
with  this  disease,  though  it  may  be  occasioned  by  their  sucking  at  long 
intervals  and  thus  overloading  the  stomach  and  bringing  on  indigestion. 
Calves  which  are  separated  from  their  dams  and  which  receive  consid- 
erable quantities  of  cold  milk  at  long  intervals  are  liable  to  contract 
this  form  of  indigestion.  Calves  fed  on  artificial  food,  which  is  some- 
times used  as  a  substitute  for  milk,  also  frequently  contract  it. 

Symptoms. — The  milk  which  passes  into  the  fourth  stomach  becomes 
curdled  and  acts  as  an  irritant  on  the  surface  of  the  stomach  and  bow- 
els, so  that  a  catarrhal  condition  of  their  mucous  surface  is  set  up.  The 
passages  have  a  thin,  yellowish- white  appearance  and  become  very  fre- 
quent. The  calf  becomes  dull,  whisks  its  tail  as  if  in  pain  whenever 
there  is  a  passage  from  the  bowels,  loses  its  appetite,  becomes  weak, 
and  unless  the  disease  is  checked  dies  in  a  few  days  from  exhaustion. 

Treatment. — The  calf  should  have  from  1  to  2  ounces  of  castor  oil 
and  a  tablespoonful  of  laudanum.  A  mild  dose  of  purgative  medi- 
cine is  given  to  remove  the  curdled  milk  from  the  stomach  and  bowels. 
The  object  of  the  subsequent  treatment  is  to  allay  the  irritation  of  the 
stomach  and  bowels  and  to  restore  the  digestive  functions.  We  rec- 
ommend the  following  to  be  compounded  and  divided  into  twelve  pow- 
ders: Powdered  rhubarb,  1£  ounces;  carbonate  of  magnesia,  3  ounces. 
One  of  these  powders  should  be  given  four  times  a  day;  each  powder 
to  be  shaken  up  with  two  wineglassfuls  of  new  milk,  to  which  two  tea- 
spoonfuls  of  whisky  should  be  added.  A  little  fresh  milk  should  be 
given  five  or  six  times  a  day,  or  the  calf  allowed  to  suck  about  six  times 
a  day,  but  the  quantity  should  be  limited.  In  applying  treatment  the 
mother  should  always  be  examined  as  to  the  condition  of  her  health, 
diet,  etc.,  as  the  disorder  may  sometime*  bo  traced  to  some  disease  or 
mismanagement  affecting  the  mother. 

GA8TRO-ENTERITI*. 

This  consists  of  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous  surface  of  the  fourth 
stomach  and  of  the  bowel.  The  inflammation  is  seldom  limited  to  the 
mucous  surface  of  the  fourth  stomach,  but  almost  always  involves  the 
mucous  surface  of  the  bowel  to  a  greater  or  less  extent. 

Causes. — Long  intervals  between  times  of  feeding;  sudden  chocking 
of  perspiration;  putting  working  oxen  to  severe  work  immediately 

21  S2S,*5 1 


38  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

aftrr  feeding,  so  that  they  do  not  have  time  to  ruminate;  sudden 
changes  of  diet.  In  enumerating  the  causes  of  this  disease  we  think  it 
well  at  the  same  time  to  indicate  how  the  operation  of  those  causes  may 
be  prevented.  In  working  oxen,  for  example,  they  may  be  allowed  to 
rest  after  feeding  so  that  rumination  is  not  interfered  with.  Grass 
which  has  lain  so  long  after  cutting  that  it  is  wilted,  musty  hay,  and 
any  kind  of  forage  which  contains  a  large  amount  of  hard,  fibrous 
material,  so  that  it  resists  the  macerating  and  solvent  action  of  the 
stomachs  may  set  up  inflammation  of  the  digestive  mucous  membrane. 
Exposure  of  the  body  to  the  action  of  damp  and  cold  winds  is  also  dan- 
gerous> 

Symptoms. — Dullness;  drooping  of  the  ears;  dryness  of  the  muzzle; 
dry  skin;  staring  coat;  loins  morbidly  sensitive  to  pressure;  fullness  of 
the  left  flank,  which  is  owing  to  the  distension  of  the  fourth  stomach 
by  gas.  The  pulse  is  small,  the  gait  is  feeble  and  staggering,  each 
step  the  animal  makes  is  accompanied  by  a  grunt,  and  this  symptom  is 
espeeialty  marked  if  the  animal  happens  to  walk  in  a  downward  direc- 
tion; there  is  loss  of  appetite,  and  rumination  is  suspended.  On  the 
second  day  of  sickness  the  passages  are  few  in  number,  hard,  and  are 
sometimes  coated  with  mucus.  If  treatment  does  not  bring  relief  the 
symptoms  become  aggravated,  the  pulse  weaker,  complications  may  set 
in,  such  as  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  or  there  may  be  symptoms  of 
brain  disorder.  The  bowels  may  act  very  irregularly,  sometimes  being 
constipated,  and  at  other  times  the  passages  are  soft,  tarry  looking,  and 
streaked  with  blood.  The  passages  at  the  last  stage  of  the  disease 
exhale  a  putrid  odor  which  may  even  occasion  sickness  in  other  ani- 
mals, and  this  suggests  the  idea  that  in  treating  this  disease  it  is 
advisable  to  keep  sick  animals  apart  from  healthy  ones.  When  the  sick 
animal  assumes  a  recumbent  position  there  is  a  continual  grunt  or 
moan  which  appears  to  accompany  each  expiration;  the  animal  usually 
dies  in  convulsions,  and  in  some  cases  at  this  time  a  bloody  liquid  issues 
from  the  mouth  and  anus. 

Post-mortem  appearances. — The  contents  of  the  rumen  are  dry,  those 
of  the  manyplies  or  third  stomach  have  a  similar  appearance  and  are 
also  dark  in  color,  and  on  removing  some  portions  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  third  stomach  the  subjacent  tissue  is  reddened.  The 
mucous  membrane  of  the  fourth  stomach  has  a  well-marked  red  color 
and  sometimes  presents  ulcerations.  The  inflammation  generally  ex- 
tends to  the  mucous  surface  of  the  small  intestine,  which  shows  large 
brownish  spots  on  its  surface  and  also  ulcerated  surfaces. 

Treatment. — Owing  to  the  fact  that  this  malady  frequently  is  caused 
by  some  imperfectly  digested  food  setting  up  infl animation  of  the  mu- 
cous surface  of  the  stomach  and  bowels,  it  is  advisable  when  disease  is 
supposed  to  originate  from  such  cause  to  give  a  pint  of  castor  oil,  and 
then  ta  give  three  or  four  times  a  day  a  quart  of  linseed  tea  in  which 
an  ounce  of  carbonate  of  magnesia  has  been  dissolved,  and  along  with 


DISEASES    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE   ORGANS.  39 

each  dose  ton  drops  of  tincture  of  aconite  should  be  combined.  The 
food  should  be  soft  and  easily  digested,  such  as  small  quantities  of 
bran  mash  and  oatmeal  gruel.  It  is  also  advisable  as  early  as  the 
second  day  of  the  animal's  sickness  to  give  small  quantities  of  hay  or 
grass,  so  as  to  encourage  the  animal  to  ruminate,  which  it  will  not  do  if 
kept  entirely  on  very  soft  and  liquid  food.  Care  must  be  exercised  not 
to  give  too  much  of  such  food  as  grass  and  hay,  but  to  gradually  in- 
crease the  proportion  of  such  diet  as  the  animal's  digestive  organs  seem 
to  be  returning  to  their  natural  function.  Purgative  medicine  must  be 
administered  only  when  absolutely  necessary,  as  a  restoration  of  the 
digestive  organs  to  their  natural  functions  is  desired,  rather  than  to 
produce  purgation. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  BOWELS. 
DIARRHEA. 

Diarrhea  results  either  from  increased  action  of  the  muscular  coat  of 
the  intestines,  an  unusually  liquid  state  of  their  contents,  or,  generally, 
from  both  of  those  conditions  combined. 

Causes. — The  exciting  causes  of  diarrhea  maybe  thus  arranged:  Irri- 
tation of  the  intestines  by  food  taken  in  excess,  or  of  improper  quality, 
and  this  especially  applies  to  soft,  watery,  green  food;  excessive  secre- 
tions, especially  bile;  impure  water  and  water  drunk  in  excess;  mechan- 
ical congestion  of  the  intestinal  vessels;  acute  or  chronic  inflammation 
of  the  bowels.  It  may  be  a  symptom  of  other  diseases  which  depend 
on  the  presence  of  an  animal  poison  in  the  blood,  as  may  be  observed 
in  Texas  fever  and  contagious  pleuro-pneumonia.  Causes  of  a  more 
general  character,  viz.,  exposure  to  changes  of  temperature,  either 
excessive  cold  or  heat  may  produce  it. 

Symptoms. — The  animal  is  dull,  places  its  feet  well  under  the  body, 
arches  its  back,  and  shows  thirst.  Passages  from  the  bowels  arc  fre- 
quent, at  first  consisting  of  thin  dung,  but  as  the  disease  continues  they 
become  watery  and  offensive  smelling,  and  may  even  be  streaked  with 
blood.  Frequently  this  malady  is  accompanied  by  fever,  great  depres- 
sion, loss  of  strength,  rapid  loss  of  flesh,  and  it  may  terminate  in  death. 

Treatment. — When  the  disease  depends  on  irritating  proj)erl  ie.s  of  the 
food  which  has  been  supplied  to  the  animal  it  is  advisable  to  give  a  mild 
purgative,  such  as  a  pint  of  castor  or  linseed  oil.  When  the  secretions 
of  the  bowels  are  irritating  iui  ounce  of  carbonate  of  magnesia  and  half 
an  ounce  of  tincture  of  opium  should  be  shaken  up  in  a  quart  of  lin- 
seed  tea  and  given  to  the  animal  three  times  a  day  until  the  passages 
present  a  natural  appearance.  When  there  is  debility,  want  of  uppetilt', 
no  fever,  but  a  continuance  of  the  watery  discharges  from  the  bowels, 
then  an  astringent  may  be  given.  For  such  cases  we  have  found  the 
following  serviceable:  Powdered  galls,  G  ounces;  powdered  gentian,  2 
ounces.  Mix  and  divide  into  twelve  powders.  One  powder  to  IK-  given 


40  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

three  times  a  day  until  the  passages  present  a  natural  appearance. 
Each  powder  should  be  mixed  with  a  half  pint  of  whisky  and  a  pint 
of  water.  When  diarrhea  is  a  symptom  of  a  malady  characterized  by 
the  presence  of  a  blood  poison,  the  treatment  appropriate  to  such  dis- 
ease must  be  applied. 

DYSENTERY. 

Dysentery  begins  with  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
colon,  though  the  disease  may  extend  to  the  caecum  and  sometimes  to 
the  rectum.  It  is  also  popularly  known  in  this  country  by  the  names 
of  bloody  flux  and  red  murrain. 

Causes, — Feeding  cattle  on  hay  which  has  been  made  during  a  wet 
season,  musty  oats,  or  any  forage  which  is  largely  infested  with  para- 
sitic growths.  Hay  or  coarse  grass  containing  a  large  proportion  of 
woody  fiber,  pastures  which  have  been  inundated,  and  the  vegetation 
growing  on  low,  marshy  localities  may  set  up  irritation  of  the  mucous 
membrane  which  terminates  in  dysentery.  Water  containing  a  large 
proportion  of  organic  matter  may  also  occasion  this  disease.  Tho  pas- 
sages or  excreta  of  animals  suffering  from  the  disease  are  to  be  regarded 
as  containing  an  infective  element,  and  should  be  disinfected,  burned 
or  buried. 

Symptoms. — The  animal  eats  slowly,  ruminates  less  frequently  than 
when  in  good  health,  and  walks  slowly.  Sometimes  there  are  indica- 
tions of  colicky  pains.  As  the  disease  advances  the  animal  ceases  to 
eat  and  ruminate,  the  muzzle  is  dry,  the  eyes  sunken,  the  coat  rough, 
the  skin  dry  and  adherent  or  hidebound.  The  bowels  act  irregularly, 
and  the  passages  are  thin,  black  colored  or  grayish;  the  passages  then 
become  frequent,  fetid,  and  are  streaked  with  blood.  This  disease  does 
not  run  a  rapid  course,  and  when  it  proves  fatal  the  mucous  membrane 
of  the  bowels  will  be  found  thickened  and  reddened  at  some  parts, 
showing  ulceration  at  some  other  points,  and  on  some  portions  of  its 
surface  covered  with  a  layer  of  mucus. 

Treatment. — When  symptoms  of  dysentery  are  first  observed,  a  pound 
of  sulphate  of  magnesia  should  be  mixed  with  4  quarts  of  tepid  water, 
and  then  2  drams  of  sulphuric  acid  should  be  gradually  added  to  this 
mixture.  This  should  be  given  at  one  dose,  and  it  is  important  that  it 
should  be  administered  at  an  early  stage  of  the  disease,  as  it  not  only 
serves  to  remove  irritating  materials  from  the  bowels,  but  it  has  an 
astringent  and  sedative  effect  on  the  mucous  surfaces  and  lessens  the 
congestion.  The  food  should  be  soft  and  easy  of  digestion,  and  may 
consist  of  grass,  boiled  or  pulped  roots,  and  nutritive  drinks,  such  as 
linseed  tea,  hay  tea,  etc.  When  the  purgative  before  mentioned  has 
unloaded  the  bowels  and  stomachs  to  some  extent,  the  following  powder 
should  be  given  three  times  a  day,  mixed  in  a  quart  of  linseed  tea: 
Powdered  ipecacuanha,  one  ounce  and  a  half;  powdered  opium,  half 
an  ounce;  mix  and  divide  into  twelve  powders.  When  the  foregoing 


DISEASES    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  41 

preparation  is  not  found  effectual,  oil  of  turpentine  may  be  given  in 
half-ounce  doses  three  times  a  day  in  a  quart  of  new  sweet  milk,  and 
among  other  remedies  which  maybe  employed  we  may  mention  sulphate 
of  copper,  which  should  be  given  in  dram  doses,  combined  with  20  grains 
of  opium  and  mixed  with  at  least  a  quart  of  linseed  tea.  Nitrate  of 
silver  may  also  be  given  in  10-grain  doses  mixed  or  dissolved  in  a  pint 
of  distilled  water.  These  latter  remedies  are  especially  efficacious  in 
their  effect  on  the  ulceratious  on  the  surface  of  the  intestine,  but  it  is 
not  advisable  to  use  them  in  an  early  stage.  Whatever  remedy  is 
employed  in  treating  dysentery,  it  should  be  given  mixed  in  a  consid- 
erable quantity  of  liquid,  as  in  this  way  it  brings  the  medicinal  agent 
in  contact  with  a  large  portion  of  the  mucous  surface  of  the  diseased 
bowel.  In  addition  to  the  treatment  recommended,  the  diseased  animal 
must  be  kept  warm  and  comfortable,  and  great  attention  must  be  paid 
to  its  general  comfort. 

SIMPLE   ENTERITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  bowels  must  be  held  to  signify  in  a  general  way 
inflammation  of  all  parts  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  bowels,  though 
in  some  forms  of  what  may  properly  be  termed  enteritis  we  find  that 
the  mucous,  muscular,  and  serous  coats  of  the  bowels  are  involved, 
while  in  other  cases  only  a  limited  portion  of  the  mucous  membrane  of 
the  bowel  is  affected.  The  different  forms  of  this  malady  will  all  be 
described  under  the  heading  of  enteritis. 

Gauges. — This  disease  occurs  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  but  most  fre- 
quently at  times  when  there  are  great  variations  of  temperature.  Hard 
and  long-continued  work  may  operate  as  a  cause  in  the  case  of  oxen. 
Eating  such  food  as  musty  hay  and  oats,  forage  containing  acid  plants, 
the  leaves  of  trees  infested  with  caterpillars,  grass  which  has  commenced 
to  ferment  after  cutting,  dusty  hay,  and  grass  covered  with  hoar  frost 
may  also  give  rise  to  enteritis.  Drinking  copiously  of  ice-cold  water 
may  also  produce  it.  Exposure  to  a  cold,  damp  wind  or  any  influence 
which  suddenly  chills  the  surface  of  the  body  may  operate  as  a  cause. 

Symptoms. — Dryness  of  the  muzzle,  diminished  appetite,  partial  or 
total  cessation  of  rumination  (see  Loss  of  Cud,  p.  3ii),  symptoms  of  colic 
which  are  indicated  by  restlessness.  The  animal  lies  down  and  gets  up 
frequently,  looks  round  at  its  flank,  raises  its  tail,  paws  with  its  front 
feet,  and  strikes  with  its  feet  at  the  abdomen.  After  a  time  the  symp- 
toms of  acute  pain  subside,  and  the  animal  lies  down,  but  does  not 
appear  to  be  free  from  pain,  turns  its  nose  round  on  the  flank  and  does 
not  cat  or  ruminate.  When  injections  are  given  they  are  soon  ejected 
from  the  bowel,  the  passages  are  dry,  glistening,  and  coated  with  mucus. 
Gas  is  frequently  passed,  frequent  attempts  to  urinate  arc  made,  but 
only  a  small  quantity  of  urine  is  passed  at  a  time.  Hutcritis  comes  on 
suddenly  and  usually  runs  a  rapid  course,  death  taking  place  in  four  or 
five  hours  in  fatal  cases.  When  the  animal  lias  not  been  Ion;,'  exposed 


42  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

to  those  conditions  which  produce  the  disease,  recovery  may  take  place 
in  a  comparatively  short  time;  in  exceptional  ease?,  however,  when  the 
acute  stage  of  the  disease  has  subsided  it  may  assume  a  chronic  and 
lingering  form. 

Treatment. — "When  the  animal  is  seen  at  an  early  stage  of  the  disease 
it  should  be  bled  to  the  extent  of  from  2  to  4  quarts.  The  age  and 
condition  of  the  animal  must  of  course  be  taken  into  consideration  in 
estimating  the  quantity  of  blood  which  should  be  abstracted.  Half- 
ounce  doses  of  laudanum  should  be  given  several  times  a  day,  mixed 
in  a  quart  of  linseed  tea. 

HEMORRHAGIC  ENTERITIS. 

This  disease  is  not  of  frequent  occurrence,  but  comes  on  suddenly, 
and  is  characterized  by  a  hemorrhage  or  exudation  of  blood  between 
the  mucous  and  muscular  coats  of  the  bowels.  The  symptoms  resemble 
those  of  the  form  of  enteritis  already  described,  only  that  they  come 
on  more  suddenly  and  are  of  a  more  violent  character.  This  form  of 
enteritis  chiefly  occurs  among  working  oxen  during  very  hot  weather. 
It  is  a  more  dangerous  form  of  enteritis  than  that  already  described. 
When  the  acute  symptoms  subside  the  animal  may  show  great  weak- 
ness, which  is  owing  to  the  great  extent  to  which  subrnucous  hemor- 
rhage has  taken  place.  At  this  stage  of  the  disease  bleeding  is  con- 
tra-indicated ;  the  passages  may  be  streaked  with  blood  and  may  even 
contain  blood-clots.  The  treatment  will  be  similar  to  that  recommended 
in  the  first  form  of  enteritis,  bearing  in  mind  of  course  that  bleeding 
should  only  be  practiced  at  an  early  stage.  After  death  the  affected 
portion  of  the  bowel  is  much  thickened  and  increased  in  weight,  owing 
to  the  quantity  of  blood  which  has  been  effused  between  the  mucous 
and  muscular  coats. 

MERCURIAL  ENTERITIS. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  bowels  which  may  be  produced  by 
cattle  licking  off  the  mercurial  ointment  which  is  sometimes  rubbed  on 
them  when  they  are  suffering  from  skin  disease.  (See  Mercurial  Poi- 
sons, p.  69.) 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  similar  to  those  of  the  forms  of  enter- 
itis already  described.  In  this  form  of  the  disease  we  also  observe 
grinding  of  the  teeth  and  dribbling  of  saliva  from  the  corners  of  the 
mouth.  Two  or  three  days  after  the  attack  gas  is  frequently  passed 
from  the  bowels;  the  belly  is  tucked  up  and  the  flanks  become  hollow; 
the  passages  are  very  thin  and  coated  with  mucus.  About  the  fifth  or 
sixth  day  there  is  swelling  of  the  tongue  and  mucous  membrane  of  the 
mouth,  quivering  of  the  muscles  of  the  limbs,  staggering  gait,  great 
emaciation,  and  the  animal  dies  about  the  twelfth  day.  Cruzel  states 
that  he  has  several  times  observed  these  symptoms  in  oxen  which,  in 


DISEASES    OF    THE   DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  43 

licking  off  the  mercurial  ointment  with  which  they  had  been  rubbed, 
had  not  swallowed  more  than  3  ounces. 

Post-mortem  appc.uraiices. — There  are  traces  of  intense  inflammation 
of  the  bowels  and  also  of  ulceration  of  their  mucous  surface.  There 
arc  dropsical  effusions  in  the  chest  and  abdomen. 

Treatment. — Give  drafts  composed  of  the  white  of  eggs  and  sweet 
milk,  purgatives,  followed  by  the  administration  of  chlorate  of -potash. 
The  eggs  and  sweet  milk  should  be  given  immediately  after  it  is  known 
that  the  animal  has  swallowed  the  mercurial  ointment,  each  quart  of 
milk  mixed  with  the  whites  of  two  eggs.  A  quart  of  this  mixture  is 
given  three  or  four  times  at  short  intervals,  say  half  an  hour,  and  then 
a  pint  of  castor  oil  should  be  given  so  as  to  produce  purgation.  After 
tin  castor  oil  has  produced  the  desired  effect,  give  half  an  ounce  of 
chlorate  of  potash  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  warm  water  three  times  a  day. 
For  debility  and  want  of  appetite  resulting  from  such  illness,  half-dram 
doses  of  nux  vomica  combined  with  2  drams  of  powdered  gentian  should 
be  given  three  times  a  day.  We  need  hardly  say  that  from  the  fore- 
going statement  the  conclusion  may  be  drawn  that  mercurial  ointment 
can  not  be  safely  applied  on  cattle. 

ENTERITIS    RESULTING   FROM   INVAGINATION   OR    INTUSSUSCEPTION, 
TWISTING,  AND   KNOTTING   OF   THE   BOWELS". 

Inflammation  may  arise  from  a  knot  forming  on  some  part  of  the  small 

intestine,  from  the  portion  of  the  bowel  becoming  twisted  on  itself,  or 

from  one  part  of  the  bowel  slipping  into  another,  which  is  termed  in- 

iiation.    This  form  of  enteritis  occurs  occasionally  in  animals  of  the 

bovine  species. 

Cannes. — The  small  intestine,  which  in  the  ox  rests  on  the  right  sac 
or  division  of  the  rumen,  is  from  the  position  which  it  occupies  predis- 
posed to  this  accident.  It  has  been  ascertained  that  .animals  which 
have  shown  symptoms  of  this  malady  have  trotted,  galloped,  or  made 
other  violent  exertions  in  coming  from  drinking,  or  that  they  have  been 
chased  by  dogs  or  by  animals  of  their  own  species  while  at  pasture. 
The  danger  of  jumping  or  running  seems  to  be  very  slight  to  the  ox  if 
hois  fasting,  as  the  rumen  in  that  case  not  being  distended  with  f«>od 
allows  the  Hmall  intestine  to  fall  to  (lie  lower  part  of  the  abdomen,  but 
when  the  rumen  in  distended  the  Jx>wel  does  not  slip  so  easily  to  this 
position. 

Nymptomx. — This  form  of  enteritis  is  manifested  by  severe  colicky 
pains,  the  ox  scrubs  and  strikes  the  ground  with  hi.s  front  and  him! 
feet  alternately ;  keeps  lying  down  and  getting  up  again;  ho  keeps  hi.s 
tail  constantly  raised  and  turns  his  nose  frequently  to  his  right  Hank; 
he  is  frequently  bloated  or  tympanitic  on  that  side,  lie  refuses  food, 
and  doc  •*  not  ruminate,  and  for  some  hours  sutlers  severe  pains.  At 
first  he  frequently  pusso-t  thin  dung,  and  also  urinates  frequently,  but 
passes  only  a  little  urine  at  a  time.  On  tho  second  day  I  lie  pains  huvc 


44  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

become  less  acute  5  the  animal  remains  lying  down;  moans  occasionally; 
his  pulse  is  small  and  quick;  he  refuses  food  and  does  not  ruminate. 
At  this  stage  he  does  not  pass  any  dung,  though  sometimes  a  small 
quantity  of  bloody  mucus  may  be  passed.  On  pressing  forcibly  the 
abdomen  a  gurgling  sound  is  produced  as  if  there  was  a  quantity  of 
liquid  in  the  stomachs.  There  must  be  slight  absorption  of  liquid  from 
the  digestive  system,  as  the  animal  passes  very  little  urine.  This  con- 
dition may  continue  for  a  considerable  time,  as  cattle  so  affected  may 
live  for  fifteen  or  even  twenty  days. 

Post-mortem  appearance. — At  death  the  bowels  are  found  to  be  in- 
flamed, the  inflammation  always  originating  at  the  point  where  the 
intestine  has  been  invaginated,  twisted,  or  knotted.  Sometimes  the 
part  is  gangrenous,  the  compression  of  the  blood-vessels  preventing 
circulation  and  thus  causing  the  death  of  the  tissues. 

Treatment. — Purgatives,  anodynes,  and  other  remedies  are  of  no 
service  in  such  cases,  and  bleeding  also  fails  to  produce  any  benefit. 
Indeed,  it  may  be  said  truly  that  in  such  cases  treatment  is  useless. 
Some  cases  are  recorded  in  which  an  incision  has  been  made  in  the 
flank  so  as  to  enable  the  operator  to  remove  the  lesion  causing  the 
enteritis  by  surgical  means.  Success  has  attended  such  efforts  so 
rarely  that  we  can  not  recommend  them. 

CONSTIPATION. 

Constipation  is  rather  to  be  regarded  as  a  symptom  of  disease  than  a 
disease  in  itself.  We  frequently  observe  it  in  parturition  fever,  in  that 
form  of  indigestion  which  is  termed  impaction  of  the  third  stomach, 
and  as  a  result  of  gut-tie,  invagination,  twisting  and  knotting  of  the 
bowels.  In  order  to  remove  the  constipation  the  treatment  must  be 
applied  to  remove  the  causes  w-hich  give  rise  to  it.  Calves  sometimes 
suffer  from  constipation  immediately  after  birth,  and  the  nieconiuin 
feces  that  accumulate  in  the  bowels  before  birth  is  not  passed,  as  is 
usually  the  case  in  calves.  The  cause  of  the  disorder  is  supposed  to 
be  that  the  dams  of  such  calves  have  been  fed  too  exclusively  on  dry 
food  before  the  calf's  birth  In  such  cases  give  an  ounce  of  castor  oil 
shaken  up  with  an  ounce  of  new  milk.  The  mother's  milk  is  the  best 
food  to  prevent  a  recurrence  of  the  constipation,  as  it  contains  a  large 
amount  of  fatty  matter  which  renders  it  laxative  in  its  effects. 

INTESTINAL  WORMS. 

We  may  state  that  cattle  are  less  infested  with  intestinal  parasites 
than  any  other  species  of  domestic  animal,  and  that  it  is  rarely  neces- 
sary to  apply  treatment  for  the  removal  of  those  parasites.  Two  differ- 
ent kinds  of  tapeworm  and  four  species  of  roundworms  have,  however, 
been  found  in  the  intestines  of  the  bovine  species.  An  examination  of 


DISEASES    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  45 

the  passages  is  the  only  certain  method  of  determining  the  existence  of 
worms  in  the  bowels. 

Treatment. — To  remove  tapeworms  give  an  ounce  of  oil  of  male  fern 
three  times  a  day  in  a  pint  of  milk  for  three  days  in  succession,  and 
then  on  the  fourth  day  give  a  pint  of  castor  oil.  For  roundworms  give 
2  drams  of  sulphate  of  iron  three  times  a  day,  mixed  in  'a  little  oats  and 
middlings,  and  after  continuing  treatment  for  three  days  give  a  pint  of 
castor  oil  as  before  described.  Oil  of  turpentine  may  be  given  in  doses 
of  1  ounce  with  milk,  or  sautouine  in  dram  doses  in  feed,  to  be  followed 
by  an  oily  purgative  a,s  described.  In  treating  calves,  which  are  more 
apt  to  be  infested  with  worms  than  full-grown  cattle,  reduce  the  doses 
to  one-fourth  or  a  third. 

RUPTURES — VENTRAL  HERNIA. 

Ventral  hernia  or  rupture  is  aii  escape  of  some  one  of  the  abdominal 
organs  through  a  rupture  in  the  abdominal  muscles,  the  skin  remaining 
intact.  The  rumen,  the  small  intestine,  or  part  of  the  large  intestine, 
and  the  fourth  stomach  are  the  parts  which  usually  form  a  ventral  her- 
nia in  bovine  animals. 

Gaiises. — Hernia  is  frequently  produced  by  blows  of  the  horns,  kicks, 
and  falls.  In  old  cows  hernia  may  sometimes  occur  without  any  direct 
injury.  The  occurrence  of  this  form  of  hernia  is  explained  by  the 
increase  in  the  size  of  the  abdomen,  which  takes  place  in  an  advanced 
stage  of  pregnancy,  causing  a  thinning  and  stretching  of  the  muscular 
fibers,  which  at  last  may  rupture  or  give  way. 

HERNIA   OF   THE   KUMEN. 

Hernia  of  the  rumen  is  generally  situated  on  the  left  side  of  the  abdo- 
men, on  account  of  the  situation  of  the  rumen.  In  exceptional  cases  it 
may  take  place  on  the  right  side,  and  in  such  cases  it  also  generally 
happens  that  some  folds  of  the  intestine  pass  into  the  hernial  sac.  Her- 
nias have  been  classified  into  simple  or  complicated,  recent  or  old,  trau- 
matic (from  mechanical  injury)  or  spontaneous. 

In  recent  traumatic  hernia  there  is  swelling  on  the  left  side  of  the 
lower  part  of  the  abdomen. .  The  swelling  is  greatest  in  the  cases  of 
hernia  which  arc  situated  on  the  lower  part  of  the  abdomen.  The  skin 
covering  the  hernia  will  frequently  present  marks  from  which  one  may 
infer  the  direction  from  which  the  injury  has  proceeded.  Unless  an 
examination  is  made  immediately  after  the  injury  has  been  inflicted  it 
is  difficult  and  .sometimes  impossible  to  ascertain  the  exact  extent  of 
the  rupture,  owing  to  the  amount  of  swelling  which  takes  place.  Fre- 
quently there  is  no  loss  of  appetite,  fever,  or  other  general  symptons 
attending  the  injury.  From  the  twelfth  to  the  fifteenth  day  the  swell 
ing  has  generally  subsided  to  such  an  extent  that  it  is  possible  by  an 
examination  to  determine  the  extent  of  the  rupture.  It  is  of  impor- 
tance to  ascertain  whether  the  si/e  of  the.  hernia  increases  after  feeding. 


46  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

In  old  cows  what  is  termed  spontaneous  hernia  n;ay  sometimes  take 
place  without  any  direct  injury.  The  occurrence  of  this  form  of  hernia 
is  explained  by  the  increase  in  the  size  of  the  abdomen,  which  takes 
place  in  an  advanced  stage  of  pregnancy,  causing  a  thinning  and 
stretching  of  the  muscular  fibres,  which  at  last  may  rupture  or  give 
way.  Such  hernia  frequently  occurs  about  the  end  of  the  period  of  ges- 
tation, and  in  some  instances  have  contained  the  right  sac  of  the  rumen? 
the  omentum,  the  small  and  large  intestines,  a  portion  of  the  liver,  and 
the  pregnant  uterus. 

In  old  hernia  the  swelling  is  soft  and  elastic,  and  if  they  have  not 
contracted  adhesions  to  the  sides  of  the  laceration  they  can  be  made  to 
disappear  on  pressure  beiiig  carefully  applied.  Sometimes  this  acci- 
dent is  complicated  by  a  rupture  of  the  rumen,  constituting  a  compli- 
cated hernia.  If  a  portion  of  the  contents  of  the  rumen  escape  into  the 
abdomen  the  case  will  be  aggravated  by  the  occurrence  of  peritonitis. 
The  occurrence  of  such  a  complication  is  best  ascertained  by  examining 
the  animal  immediately  after  the  accident,  when  nothing  intervenes 
between  the  surface  of  the  rumen  and  the  hand  but  the  skin. 

HERNIA    OF   THE    BOWEL.        (See  Plate  III,  Fig.  6.) 

When  the  intestines  form  the  contents  of  the  hernia  it  will  be  situ- 
ated at  the  right  side  of  the  abdomen.  In  an  intestinal  hernia  the 
swelling  is  usually  not  painful,  of  a  doughy  consistence  or  elastic, 
according  as  the  intestine  does  or  does  not  contain  alimentary  matter. 
This  swelling  can  generally  be  made  to  disappear  by  pressure,  and 
when  it  has  been  reduced  one  can  easily  recognize  the  direction  and 
extent  of  the  hernial  opening.  Herniao  of  the  bowel  which  are  situated 
at  the  upper  and  right  side  of  the  abdomen  are  usually  formed  by  the 
small  intestine.  They  are  less  easily  reduced  than  hernia  in  a  lower 
situation,  but  when  reduction  has  been  effected  they  are  less  readily 
reproduced  than  those  occurring  lower.  In  hernia  of  the  small  intes- 
tine adhesion  of  the  protruding  parts  to  the  walls  of  the  opening,  or 
strangulation,  are  complications  w^hich  sometimes  take  place.  If  adhe- 
sion has  taken  place  the  hernia  can  not  be  reduced  by  pressure,  and 
when  strangulation  has  occurred  the  animal  shows  symptoms  of  pain. 
In  such,  a  case  the  edges  of  the  opening  through  which  the  bowel  has 
passed  press  on  the  bowel  so  as  at  first  to  excite  pain,  then  inflamma- 
tion, which  if  unrelieved  usually  terminates  in  gangrene.  The  animal 
is  restless,  turns  its  nose  to  the  painful  part,  and  shows  those  symp- 
toms which,  are  usually  collectively  designated  under  the  term  colic. 
When  the  swelling  or  hernia  contains  a  portion  of  peritoneum  the 
swelling  is  soft  and  doughy,  and  does  not  produce  the  sensation  on 
handling  it  that  it  does  when  it  contains  gas  or  alimentary  matter. 

HERNIA   OF   THE    RENNET   OR  FOURTH   STOMACH. 

This  disease  occasionally  occurs  in  calves  and  is  usually  caused  by  a 
blow  from  a  cow's  horn  on  the  right  flank  of  the  calf,  and  this  may  hap- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  47 

pen  when  the  calf  is  trying  to  suck  a  strange  cow.  After  such  an  acci- 
dent a  swelling  forms  on  the  right  flank  near  the  last  rib.  This  swelling 
may  be  neither  hot  nor  painful,  even  at  first,  and  is  soft  to  the  touch. 
It  can  be  made  to  disappear  by  careful  pressure  when  the  sides  of  the 
aperture  through  which  it  has  passed  can  be  felt.  The  application  of 
pressure  so  as  to  cause  the  disappearance  of  the  hernia  is  best  made 
immediately  after  the  occurrence  of  the  accident,  or  when  the  oedema 
which  accompanies  the  swelling  has  disappeared. 

Treatment. — "When  a  hernia  is  reducible — that  is,  can  be  pushed  back 
into  the  abdomen — then  it  is  advisable  to  maintain  it  in  its  natural  situ- 
ation, and  to  allow  the  walls  of  the  laceration  to  grow  or  adhere  together. 
In  treating  of  this  subject  in  a  previous  work  I  translated  the  directions 
given  by  the  late  Henry  Bouley,  in  a;i  article  on  this  subject  contained 
in  the  "  Nouvean  Dictionnairc  de  Me"decine  et  de  Chirurgie  Ye"t6rinaire,w 
and  as  his  directions  are  both  concise  and  practical,  I  here  reproduce 
them : 

First  prepare  a  bandage  (must  be  of  strong  material)  about  10  yards  long  and 
between  3  and  4  inches  broad,  and  a  flexible  and  solid  piece  of  pasteboard  adapted 
in  size  to  the  surface  of  the  hernia.  The  protruding  organ  must  then  be  replaced 
iu  the  abdomen,  and  maintained  in  that  position  during  the  application  of  the 
bandage.  This  being  done,  a  layer  of  melted  pitch  and  turpentine  is  quickly  spread 
on  the  skin  covering  the  seat  of  the  hernia,  so  as  to  extend  somewhat  beyond  that 
space.  This  adhesive  layer  is  then  covered  with  a  layer  of  fine  tow,  then  anew 
layer  of  pitch  and  turpentine  is  spread  on  the  tow,  and  the  piece  of  pasteboard  is 
applied  on  the  layer  of  pitch,  its  outer  surface  being  covered  with  the  same  prep- 
aration. Lastly,  the  bandage  adhering  to  the  piece  of  pasteboard,  to  the  skin,  and 
to  the  different  turns  which  it  makes  around  the  body,  is  carefully  applied  so  as  to 
form  an  immovable,  rigid,  and  solid  bandage,  which  will  retain  tho  hernia  long 
enough  for  tho  wonnd  iu  the  abdominal  walls  to  heal  permanently. 

In  considering  the  point  whether  it  is  advisable  to  operate  on  a  rup- 
ture or  not,  we  may  here  notice  some  of  those  conditions  which  will 
have  an  unfavorable  effect  on  the  success  of  the  operation.  When  the 
opening  through  which  the  protruding  organs  have  passed  is  very  large, 
the  edges  irregularly  torn,  and  when  the  hernia  has  existed  for  a  long 
time,  the  size  of  the  abdomen  will  be  found  to  have  diminished,  and  the 
replacing  and  retention  of  the  protruded  parts  will  be  attended  with 
difficulty.  The  stitches  which  bring  the  edges  of  the  rupture  together 
in  such  cooes  are  apt  to  tear  out,  so  such  an  operation  is  not  advisable. 
Small  ruptures  with  smooth,  regular  edges  heal  with  less  difficulty, 
llenihp  situated  on  the  under  surface  of  the  abdomen  are  more  apt  to 
recur  when  they  have  been  returned,  and  the  wounds  made  in  operating 
on  them  are  more  difficult  to  heal  than  when  the  hernia  is  situated  on 
tho  side. 

When  the  symptoms  indicate  that  a  hernia  is  strangulated,  it  is  advis- 
able to  incise  the  sac  and  return  tho  hernia,  enlarging  the  opening  in 
the  abdominal  muscles  to  the  size  necessary  to  return  the  protruding 
organs,  after  which  the  wound  in  the  abdominal  muscles  should  bo 
brought  together  by  metallic  or  cat  gut  stitehes,  and  tlie  v/oiunlin  the  skin 


48  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

afterwards  brought  together  by  stitches  of  silk  ^thread.  Then  a  com- 
press composed  of  ten  or  twelve  folds  of  cloth  must  be  placed  smoothly 
over  the  seat  of  injury  and  a  bandage  applied  round  the  body,  the  two 
ends  being  fastened  at  the  back.  In  the  smaller  kinds  of  hernia  nitric 
acid  may  sometimes  be  applied  with  success.  This  treatment  should 
not  be  applied  until  the  swelling  and  inflammation  attending  the  appear- 
ance of  the  hernia  have  subsided,  then  the  contents  of  the  hernia  hav- 
ing been  returned,  the  surface  of  skin  corresponding  to  it  is  sponged 
over  with  a  solution  composed  of  one  part  of  nitric  acid  to  two  parts  of 
water.  This  treatment  acts  by  exciting  considerable  inflammation, 
which  has  the  effect  of  causing  swelling  and  thus  frequently  closing 
the  hernia!  opening  and  preventing  the  contents  of  the  sac  from  return- 
ing. A  second  application  should  not  be  made  until  the  inflammation 
excited  by  the  first  has  subsided.  In  what  is  termed  spontaneous  her- 
nia it  is  useless  to  apply  any  kind  of  treatment. 

UMBILICAL   HERNIA. 

The  umbilicus,  or  navel,  is  the  aperture  through  which  the  blood-ves- 
sels pass  from  the  mother  to  the  fetus,  and  naturally  the  sides  of  this 
aperture  ought  to  adhere  or  unite  after  birth.  In  very  young  animals, 
and  sometimes  in  new-born  calves,  this  aperture  in  the  abdominal  mus- 
cles remains  open  and  a  part  of  the  bowel  or  a  portion  of  the  mesentery 
may  slip  through  the  opening,  constituting  what  is  called  umbilical 
hernia.  The  wall  of  the  sac  is  formed  by  the  skin  which  is  covered  on 
the  inner  surface  by  a  layer  of  cellular  tissue,  and  within  this  there  is 
sometimes,  but  not  always,  a  layer  of  peritoneum.  The  contents  of 
the  hernia  may  be  formed  by  a  part  of  the  bowel,  by  a  portion  of  the 
peritoneum,  or  may  contain  portions  of  both  peritoneum  and  bowel. 
When  the  sac  contains  only  peritoneum  it  has  a  doughy  feel,  but  when 
it  is  formed  by  a  portion  of  the  bowel  it  will  be  more  elastic  on  apply- 
ing pressure. 

Causes. — In  the  new-born  animal  the  opening  of  the  navel  is  gener- 
ally too  large,  and  this  opening  may  sometimes  give  way  to  the  pres- 
sure of  the  bowel  on  account  of  the  weak  and  relaxed  condition  of  the 
abdominal  muscles.  This  defective  and  abnormal  condition  of  the 
umbilicus  is  frequently  hereditary.  It  may  be  occasioned  by  roughly 
pulling  away  the  umbilical  cord 5  through  kicks  or  blows  on  the  belly; 
through  any  severe  strainingby  which  the  sides  of  the  navel  are  stretched 
apart.  We  may  mention  in  this  connection  that  it  is  best  in  new-born 
calves  to  tie  the  umbilical  cord  tightly  about  two  inches  from  the  navel, 
and  then  to  leave  it  alone,  when  it  will  drop  off  in  a  few  days  in  most 
cases,  leaving  the  navel  in  a  closed  condition. 

Treatment. — It  is  well  to  bear  in  mind  that  many,  and  especially  the 
smaller,  umbilical  hernias  will  heal  spontaneously,  that  is,  nature  effects 
a  cure,  As  the  animal  gets  older  the  abdominal  muscles  get  stronger 
and  possess  more  power  of  resistance  to  pressure,  the  bowels  become 


DISEASES   OF   THE   DIGESTIVE   ORGANS.  49 

larger  and  do  not  pass  so  readily  through  a  small  opening,  so  that  from 
a  combination  of  causes  there  is  a  gradual  growing  together  or  adhesion 
of  the  sides  of  the  navel.  In  cases  of  umbilical  hernia  where  there  are 
no  indications  that  a  spontaneous  cure  will  take  place,  the  calf  should 
be  laid  on  its  back,  and  immediately  on  this  being  done  the  hernia  will 
often  disappear  into  the  abdomen.  If  it  does  not  its  reduction  may  be 
brought  about  by  gentle  handling,  endeavoring,  if  need  be,  to  empty 
the  organs  forming  the  hernia  before  returning  them  into  the  abdomen. 
After  the  hernia  has  been  returned  the  hair  should  be  clipped  from  the 
skin  covering  it  and  a  compress  composed  of  ten  or  twelve  folds  of 
linen  or  cotton  should  be  applied,  first  smearing  the  skin  with  pitch 
and  then  a  bandage  of  about  3  inches  wide  should  be  passed  round  the 
body  so  as  to  retain  the  compress  in  position.  The  lower  part  of  the 
compress  should  be  smeared  with  pitch,  and  also  those  portions  of  the 
bandage  which  pass  over  it,  so  as  to  keep  it  solid  and  prevent  it  from 
shifting.  In  some  cases  it  will  be  found  that  the  contents  of  the  sac 
can  not  be  returned  into  the  abdomen,  and  this  generally  arises  from 
the  fact  that  some  part  of  the  contents  of  the  sac  has  grown  to  or 
become  adherent  to  the  edges  of  the  umbilical  opening.  In  such  a  case 
the  skin  must  be  carefully  laid  open  in  the  long  direction,  the  adhesions 
of  the  protruding  organs  carefully  separated  from  the  umbilicus,  and 
after  the  protruding  parts  have  been  returned  into  the  abdomen  the 
Bides  of  the  umbilicus  must  be  freshened  if  necessary  by  paring,  and 
then  the  edges  of  the  opening  brought  together  by  catgut  stitches ;  the 
wound  in  the  skin  must  then  also  be  brought  together  by  stitches.  The 
wounl  must  be  carefully  dressed  every  day  and  a  bandage  passed 
round  the  body  so  as  to  cover  and  protect  the  part  operated  on. 

In  small  hernia  nitric  acid  has  been  used  successfully  in  the  same 
manner  as  has  been  described  in  speaking  of  the  treatment  of  ventral 
hernia.  Sulphuric  acid  has  also  been  used  for  a  similar  purpose,  dilut- 
ing it  to  the  extent  of  one  part  of  acid  to  three  or  five  of  water.  In 
thin-skinned  animals  the  weaker  preparations  ought  to  be  preferred, 
and  caution  must  be  exercised  in  using  such  preparations  so  as  not  to 
destroy  the  tissues  on  which  they  are  applied. 

Another  method  of  treatment  is,  after  the  contents  of  the  sac  have 
been  returned  into  the  abdomen,  to  tie  a  piece  of  strong  waxed  cord 
round  the  pendulous  portion  which  formed  the  outer  covering  of  the 
hernia.  The  string  is  apt  to  slacken  after  two  or  three  days,  when  a 
new  piece  of  cord  should  be  applied  above  the  first  one.  The  constric- 
tion of  the  skin  seta  up  Inflammation,  which  generally  extends  to  the 
umbilicus  and  causes  the  edges  to  adhere  together,  and  by  the  time 
the  portion  of  skin  below  the  ligature  has  lost  its  vitality  and  dropped 
off,  the  umbilicus  is  closed  and  there  is  no  danger  of  the  abdominal 
organs  protruding  through  it.  This  is  what  takes  place  when  this 
method  has  a  favorable  result,  though  if  the  umbilicus  docs  not  become 
adherent  and  the  skin  sloughs,  the  bowels  will  protrude  through  the 
opening. 

24697 1 


50  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

GUT-TIE — PEUITOXEAL   HERNIA. 

In  peritoneal  hernia  of  the  ox  a  loop  or  knuckle  of  intestine  enters 
from  the  abdomen  into  a  rent  in  that  part  of  the  peritonenm  which  is 
situated  at  the  margin  of  the  hip  bone  and  passes  under  the  remains  of 
the  spermatic  cord.  After  the  tearing  of  the  peritoneum  the  spermatic 
cord  is  partially  separated  from  its  former  points  of  attachment,  so  as 
to  form  a  loose  band.  The  portion  of  intestine  is  pressed  through  the 
peritoneal  opening  into  the  pelvis,  and  frequently  curves  or  winds 
behind  the  spermatic  cord  and  is  pressed  forward  in  a  direction  oppo- 
site to  that  it  followed  when  entering-  the  peritoneal  rent.  The  onward 
pressure  of  the  bowel,  as  well  as  the  occasional  turning  of  the  latter 
round  the  spermatic  cord,  is  the  cause  of  the  cord  exercising  consider- 
able pressure  on  the  bowel,  which  occasions  irritation,  obstructs  the 
passage  of  excrement,  and  excites  inflammation,  which  terminates  in 
gangrene  and  death. 

The  tearing  of  this  fold  of  peritoneum  generally  occurs  on  the  right  side, 
not  on  the  left,  as  incorrectly  stated  by  Touatt,  and  the  reason  of  its  occur- 
ring generally  on  the  right  side  is  that  the  bowels  are  mostly  situated  on 
that  side  of  the  abdomen,  while  the  paunch  occupies  the  left  side  and 
extends  to  the  entrance  of  the  pelvis.  (Plate  i.)  The  rent  in  the 
peritoneum  is  situated  at  the  upper  and  front  part  of  the  pelvis,  nearer 
to  the  sacrum  than  the  pubis.  Besides  the  form  of  peritoneal  hernia 
already  described  there  is  a  second  form,  which  occurs  as  follows: 
After  castration  the  spermatic  cord  retracts  into  the  abdomen  on 
account  of  its  elasticity,  and  its  freshly-cut  end  becomes  adherent  to 
the  peritoneum,  leaving  a  free  space  between  it  and  the  peritoneum, 
however  through  which  a  part  of  the  intestine  may  enter,  but  can  not 
slip  out  again,  on  account  of  its  subsequent  increase  in  size.  It  also 
happens  that  the  free  end  of  the  spermatic  cord  may  become  adherent 
in  such  a  way  that  it  forms  a  cord  or  band  around  the  bowel,  causing 
strangulation.  This  last  form  seems  to  have  led  to  the  appellation  of 
gut-tie  being  applied  to  this  accident.  It  may  be  mentioned  that  peri- 
toneal hernia  may  occur  on  the  left  side,  though  this  rarely  happens. 

Causes. — Among  the  causes  of  peritoneal  hernia  considerable  impor- 
tance is  attached  to  a  method  of  castration  which  is  practiced  in  cer- 
tain districts,  viz.,  the  tearing  or  rupturing  of  the  spermatic  cord  by 
main  force,  instead  of  dividing  it  at  a  proper  distance  above  the  testi- 
cle in  a  surgical  manner.  After  this  violent  and  rough  method  of  oper- 
ating, the  cord  retracts  into  the  abdomen  and  its  stump  becomes  adher- 
ent to  some  part  of  the  peritoneum,  or  it  may  wind  around  the  bowel 
and  then  the  stump  becomes  adherent  so  that  strangulation  of  the 
bowel  results.  The  rough  dragging  on  the  cord  may  also  cause  a  tear 
in  the  peritoneum,  the  result  of  which  need  not  be  described.  The 
severe  exertion  of  ascending  hills  and  mountains,  drawing  heavy  loads, 
or  the  straining  which  oxen  undergo  while  fightiug  each  other,  may  also 
give  rise  to  peritoneal  hernia. 


DISEASES   OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  51 

Symptom*. — The  ox  suddenly  becomes  very  restle  --.  stumps  with  his 
feet,  moves  back  and  forward,  hurriedly  lies  down,  rises,  moves  his  tail 
uneasily,  and  kicks  at  his  belly  with  the  foot  of  the  affected  side. 
The  pain  evinced  may  diminish,  but  soon  returns  again.  In  the  early 
stage  there  are  frequent  passages  of  dung,  but  after  the  lapse  of  eight- 
een to  twenty-four  hours  this  ceases,  the  bowel  apparently  being 
emptied  up  to  the  point  of  strangulation,  and  the  passages  now  consist 
only  of  a  little  mucus  mixed  with  blood.  When  injections  are  given  at 
this  time  the  water  passes  out  of  the  bowel  without  even  being  col- 
ored. The  animal  always  lies  down  on  the  side-  where  the  hernia 
e\i>t>  and  stretches  out  his  hind  feet  in  a  backward  direction.  These 
two  particular  symptoms  serve  to  distinguish  this  affection  from  enter- 
itis and  iuvagination  of  the  bowel.  As  time  passes,  the  animal  becomes 
quieter,  but  this  cessation  of  pain  may  indicate  that  gangrene  of  the 
bowel  has  set  in,  and  may,  therefore,  under  certain  circumstances,  be 
considered  a  precursor  of  death.  Gangrene  may  take  place  in  from 
four  to  six  days,  when  perforation  of  the  bowel  may  occur  and  death 
result  in  a  short  time. 

Treatment. — The  ox  should  in  the  first  place  be  examined  by  oiling 
the  hand  and  arm  and  passing  it  into  the  rectum  j  the  hand  should  be 
passed  along  the  margin  of  the  pelvis,  beginning  at  the  sacrum  and  con- 
tinuing downward  towards  the  inguinal  ring,  when  a  soft  painful  swell- 
ing will  be  felt,  which  may  vary  from  the  size  of  an  apple  to  that  of 
two  fists.  This  swelling  will  be  felt  to  be  tightly  compressed  by  the 
spermatic  cord.  It  very  rarely  happens  that  there  is  any  similar  swell- 
ing on  the  left  side,  though  it  is  best  in  such  cases  to  make  a  thorough 
examination.  The  bowel  has  sometimes  been  released  from  its  position 
by  driving  the  ox  down  a  hill,  by  causing  him  to  jump  from  a  height  of 
2  feet  to  the  ground,  and  the  expedient  of  trotting  him  lias  been  resorted 
to  with  the  hope  that  the  jolting  movement  might  bring  about  a  release 
of  the  bowel.  If  the  simple  expedients  mentioned  have  been  tried  and 
t'aileil.  then  the  hand  being  passed  into  the  rectum  should  be  pressed 
gently  on  the  swelling  in  an  upward  and  forward  direction  so  as  to 
endeavor  to  push  the  imprisoned  portion  of  the  bowel  back  into  the 
altdouien.  While  this  is  being  done  the  ox's  hind  feet  should  stand  on 
higher  ground  than  the  front,  so  as  to  favor  the  slipping  out  of  the 
bowel  by  its  own  weight,  and  at  the  same  time  an  assistant  should 
xpioeze  the  animal's  loins  so  as  to  cause  it  to  bend  downward  and  so 
relax  the  band  formed  by  the  spermatic  cord.  If  the  imprisoned  por- 
tion of  gut  is  freed,  which  may  be  ascertained  by  the  disappearance  of 
the  swelling,  the  n^ual  sounds  produced  by  the  bowels  moving  in  the 
abdomen  will  bo  heard,  and  in  a  few  hours  the  t'eees  and  urine  will  be 
piwwied  as  UNiiul.  If  the  means  mentioned  fail  in  releasing  the  impris 
oned  portion  of  the  gut,  then  an  incision  about  4  inches  long  must  be 
made  in  the  right  flank  in  a  downward  direction,  the  hand  introduced 
into  tin-  al»d«.me:!.  tin-  -Muatioii  and  condition  of  swelling  exactly  ascer- 


52  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

• 

tained,  and  then  a  probe-pointed  knife  inserted  between  the  imprisoned 
bowel  and  b  and  compressing  it,  and  turned  outward  against  the  band, 
the  latter  being  then  cautiously  divided  and  the  imprisoned  gut  allowed 
to  escape,  or,  if  necessary,  the  bowel  should  be  drawn  gently  from  its 
position  into  the  abdomen.  The  wound  in  the  flank  must  be  brought 
together  in  the  same  way  as  in  the  case  of  the  wound  made  in  operat- 
ing for  inipaction  of  the  rumen. 

WOUNDS   OF'  THE   ABDOMEN. 

A  wound  of  the  abdomen  may  merely  penetrate  the  skin,  but  as  such 
cases  are  not  attended  with  much  danger,  nor  their  treatment  with 
much  difficulty,  we  propose  to  consider  here  merely  those  wounds 
which  penetrate  the  entire  thickness  of  the  abdominal  walls  and  expose 
to  a  greater,  or  less  extent  the  organs  contained  in  that  cavity. 

Causes. — Such  accidents  may  be  occasioned  by  animals  falling  on 
fragments  of  broken  glass  or  other  sharp  objects.  A  blow  from  the 
horn  of  another  animal  may  produce  a  wound  which  penetrates  the 
abdomen.  Exposure  and  protrusion  of  some  of  the  abdominal  organs 
may  also  be  occasioned  by  the  incautious  use  of  caustics  in  the  treat- 
ment of  umbilical  or  ventral  hernia.  The  parts  which  generally  escape 
through  an  abdominal  wound  are  the  small  intestine  and  floating  colon. 

Symptoms. — When  the  abdominal  wound  is  small,  the  bowel  exposed 
presents  the  appearance  of  a  small  round  tumor,  but  in  a  few  moments 
a  loop  of  intestine  may  emerge  from  the  opening.  The  animal  then 
shows  symptoms  of  severe  pain  by  pawing  with  his  feet,  which  has  the 
effect  of  accelerating  the  passage  of  new  loops  of  intestine  through  the 
wound,  so  that  the  mass  which  they  form  may  even  touch  the  ground. 
The  pain  becomes  so  great  that  the  ox  now  not  only  paws  but  lies  down 
and  rolls,  thus  tearing  and  crushing  his  bowels.  In  such  cases  it  is 
best  to  slaughter  the  animal  at  once;  but  in  the  case  of  a  valuable 
animal  in  which  tearing  and  crushing  of  the  bowels  has  not  taken 
place,  the  bowels  should  be  returned  and  the  wounds  in  the  muscle  and 
skin  brought  together  in  a  manner  somewhat  similar  to  that  which  was 
described  in  speaking  of  ventral  hernia. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  LIVER  AND  SPLEEN. 

JAUNDICE— THE   YELLOWS — CONGESTION   OF   THE   LIVER. 

[Plate  iv.] 

When  jaundice  exists  there  is  a  yellow  appearance  of  the  white  of 
the  eyes,  and  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth.  A  similar  aspect 
of  the  skin  may  also  be  observed  in  animals  which  are  either  partly  or 
altogether  covered  with  white  hair.  Jaundice  is  then  merely  a  symp- 
tom of  disease  and  ought  to  direct  attention  to  ascertaining  if  possible 
the  cause  or  causes  which  have  given  rise  to  it.  A  swollen  condition 
of  the  mucous  membrane  of  that  part  of  the  bowel  called  the  duodenum 
may  produce  jaundice,  as  that  mechanically  closes  the  orifice  of  thebil- 


DISEASES   OF   THE   DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  53 

iary  duct.  In  constipation  there  is  an  inactive  or  torpid  condition  of 
the  bowel,  and  the  bile  which  passes  into  the  intestine  may  be  absorbed 
and  cause  the  yellow  staining  of  jaundice.  Jaundice  is  one  of  the 
symptoms  of  Texas  fever  and  depends  on  the  congested  condition  of  the 
liver  existing  in  that  disease.  It  may  also  arise  from  the  presence  of 
parasites  or  gallstones  in  the  ducts,  forming  a  mechanical  obstruction 
to  the  onward  flow  of  bile.  It  may  also  arise  from  injury  to  the  nerv- 
ous system  impeding  the  functions  of  the  nerves  supplied  to  the  liver 
and  checking  or  diminishing  the  secretion  of  bile.  This  form  of  jaun- 
dice is,  so  far  as  we  know,  unknown  in  cattle.  The  conditions  under 
which  jaundice  most  commonly  calls  for  treatment  are  when  cattle  have 
been  highly  fed  and  kept  in  a  state  of  inactivity.  At  such  a  time  there 
is  an  excess  of  nutritive  elements  carried  into  the  blood,  which  is  asso- 
ciated with  increased  fullness  of  the  portal  vein  and  hepatic  artery. 
When  continued  high  feeding  has  produced  this  congested  state  of  the 
liver  the  functions  of  that  organ  become  disordered,  so  that  a  consider- 
able portion  of  the  bile  instead  of  being  excreted  and  passing  into  the 
intestine  is  absorbed  by  the  hepatic  veins. 

Symptoms. — This  disease  occurs  most  frequently  among  stall-fed  cattle. 
Pressure  along  the  margin  of  the  short  ribs  on  the  right  side  produces 
pain ;  the  appetite  is  poor  and  the  animal  shows  hardly  any  inclination 
to  drink;  the  mucous  membranes  of  the  eye  and  mouth  are  yellow,  the 
urine  has  a  yellow  or  brown  appearance,  the  animal  lies  down  much 
and  moves  with  reluctance,  moans  occasionally  and  has  a  tottering  gait. 
The  ears  and  horns  are  alternately  hot  and  cold;  in  cows  the  secretion 
of  milk  is  much  diminished,  and  that  which  is  secreted  has  a  bitter 
taste ;  sometimes  the  animal  has  a  dry,  painful  cough  and  presents  a  dull, 
stupefied  appearance. 

Treatment. — In  such  cases  it  is  advisable  to  produce  a  free  action  of 
the  bowels,  so  as  to  remove  the  usually  congested  condition  of  the  portal 
vein  and  liver.  For  this  purpose  we  recommend  the  administration  of 
the  following  dose:  Sulphate  of  soda,  1C  ounces;  fluid  extract  of  tar- 
axacum half  an  ounce.  The  sulphate  of  soda  is  dissolved  by  stirring 
it  up  in  2  quarts  of  tepid  water.  The  extract  of  taraxacum  is  mixed 
in  with  it,  and  the  mixture  should  be  administered  at  one  dose.  When 
a  purgative  effect  has  been  produced,  a  dram  of  sulphate  of  ciiichonidia, 
half  an  ounce  of  fluid  extract  of  taraxacum  and  an  ounce  of  spirits  of 
nitrous  ether  may  be  shaken  up  in  a  pint  of  water,  and  given  night  and 
morning  for  several  days  in  succession.  This  treatment  may  be  assisted 
by  giving  occasional  injections  of  warm  water  and  soap.  The  diet 
should  be  laxative  and  moderate  in  quantity,  and  may  consist  of  coarse 
bran  mash,  pulped  roots,  grass  in  the  season  and  hay  in  moderate  quan- 
tity. 

HEPATITIS — INFLAMMATION   OF  T1IK   LIVER. 

This  is  a  more  advanced  stage  of  the  disease  already  described.  I  lep- 
atitis  is  frequently  restricted  to  a  special  part  of  the  liver,  and  the 


54  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

rest  of  the  organ  outside  the  area  of  inflammation  may  continue  com- 
paratively healthy. 

The  gland  cells  are  the  seat  of  inflammation,  and  the  formation  of  an 
abscess  or  abscesses  is  a  usual  result. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  sometimes  obscure,  and  their  real 
significance  is  frequently  overlooked.  This  may  be  accounted  for  by 
the  fact  that  only  a  part  of  the  liver  is  affected  and  that  by  the  continu- 
ance of  congestion  in  that  organ  the  affected  parts  gradually  undergo 
those  clianges  which  are  characteristic  of  inflammation.  The  most 
prominent  symptoms  are  yellowness  of  the  white  of  the  eye?  and  of  the 
membrane  lining  the  mouth ;  the  appetite  is  poor  j  the  body  presents  an 
emaciated  appearance,  but  there  is  frequently  fullness  at  the  lower 
part  of  the  abdomen.  The  gait  is  weak,  and  the  animal  lies  down  more 
than  usual,  and  while  doing  so  frequently  has  its  head  turned  round 
resting  on  the  side  of  its  chest. 

Post-mortem  appearances. — There  is  frequently  a  quantity  of  serum  in 
the  abdomen.  The  liver  is  usually  enlarged.  Instead  of  having  the 
dark-red  appearance  of  congestion  it  has  a  brownish  or  grayish  red 
tint  in  some  parts,  with  yellowish  red  or  pale  yellow  in  others.  Its 
tissue  is  loosened  and  easily  torn,  which  is  owing  to  its  having  lost  its 
natural  cohesion.  Abscesses  or  deposits  of  purulent  matter  are  found 
in  its  substance.  The  liver  sometimes  becomes  adherent  to  the  dia- 
phragm or  other  adjacent  parts  through  inflammation  of  its  capsule. 
As  a  result  of  another  form  of  inflammation  a  considerable  part  of  the 
tissue  of  the  liver  becomes  hardened  or  indurated,  when  its  surface  pre- 
sents a  nodulated  appearance,  and  sometimes  in  cows  that  have  died 
after  calving  the  liver  has  been  found  smaller  than  usual,  so  soft  that 
it  is  easily  torn,  and  of  a  uniform  yellow  color. 

Treatment. — Half  a  ponnd  of  sulphate  of  soda  and  half  an  ounce  of 
fluid  extract  of  taraxacum  should  be  mixed  with  2  quarts  of  tepid 
water,  and  this  should  be  given  night  and  morning  until  a  relaxed  con- 
dition of  the  bowels  is  produced,  as  the  object  is  not  to  cause  a  strong 
purgation,  but  a  laxative  effect  which  should  be  continued  for  some 
days.  The  diet  should  be  similar  to  that  which  has  been  recommended 
in  speaking  of  congestion  of  the  liver.  After  the  treatment  with  laxa- 
tives has  been  continued  for  several  days  a  dram  of  sulphate  of  cin- 
chonidia  and  a  dram  of  nitro-muriatic  acid  should  be  shaken  up  in  a  quart 
of  cold  water,  and  this  dose  should  be  given  three  times  a  day  until  the 
animal  has  regained  its  strength.  Oil  of  turpentine  should  be  rubbed 
in  well  once  a  day  over  the  region  of  the  liver.  The  skin  on  which  it 
should  be  applied  extends  from  the  false  ribs  on  the  right  side  to  6 
inches  in  front  of  the  last  one,  and  from  the  backbone  to  12  inches  on 
the  right  side  of  it.  Extreme  heat  and  pasturing  animals  on  low  lying 
ground  are  conditions  favorable  to  the  production  of  this  disease. 


DISEASES   OF   THE   DIGESTIVE   ORGANS.  55 

THE   FLUKE   DISEASE. 

The  fluke,  or  Fasciola  hepatica,  is  a  parasite  which  infests  the  biliary 
ducts  of  the  liver.  It  varies  iu  size  from  an  inch  to  a  little  over  an  inch 
in  length  and  has  a  brownish  flattened  body.  It  belongs  to  the  group 
of  trematoda,  or  sucking  worms.  The  fluke  passes  through  several  dif- 
ferent stages  of  development  before  it  reaches  the  livers  of  the  animals 
which  it  infests,  and  it  is  not  only  found  in  cattle,  but  in  sheep  and 
several  species  of  wild  animals.  Parasites  which  have  attained  their 
full  development  usually  after  a  time  pass  out  of  the  animals  which 
harbor  them  and  die,  when  they  have  attained  the  limit  of  their  exist- 
ence. It  has  been  estimated  that  after  the  death  and  decomposition  of 
a  full-grown  fluke  upwards  of  40,000  eggs  will  be  liberated  from  its 
uterus.  The  agency  of  winds,  rains,  insects,  the  feet  of  cattle  and 
other  animals,  disperse  and  carry  these  ova  to  considerable  distances, 
so  that  a  large  proportion  of  tbem  find  their  way  to  pools,  ditches,  and 
streams,  where  the  conditions  exist  necessary  to  their  future  develop- 
ment. After  a  time  they  reach  that  stage  in  which  they  are  transferred 
with  the  fodder  or  drink  to  the  digestive  organs  of  their  host.  From 
the  foregoing  statement  it  will  readily  be  understood  that  this  disease 
prevails  on  low  swampy  laud,  and  especially  on  land  which  is  subject 
to  inundation.  During  a  wet,  rainy  season  the  area  over  which  it 
extends  becomes  much  wider,  and  the  losses  which  the  disease  occa- 
sions are  consequently  greater. 

Symptoms. — The  presence  of  these  parasites  in  the  biliary  ducts  does 
not  at  first  appear  to  impair  the  animal's  health;  indeed,  it  has  been 
stated  that  for  a  short  time  the  animals  appear  to  thrive  better.  This 
is  accounted  for  by  the  statement  that  the  presence  of  the  flukes  in 
the  biliary  ducts  stimulates  the  secretion  of  bile,  that  this  occasions  a 
more  complete  digestion  of  the  fatty  elements  of  the  food,  and  a  con- 
sequent improvement  in  the  animal's  condition  in  the  early  stage  of  the 
disease.  When  the  flukes  attain  their  full  size,  however,  and  are  pres- 
ent in  large  numbers,  they  set  up  inflammation  in  the  walls  of  the  bil- 
iary ducts.  As  a  result  of  the  presence  of  those  parasites  the  liver 
becomes  indurated  and  its  secreting  structure  becomes  atrophied  or 
wasted.  The  affected  animals  become  dull  and  weak;  swellings  of  a 
dropsical  nature  form  between  the  jaws  and  along  the  throat.  There 
are  fever,  great  emaciation,  and  dropsical  accumulations  in  the  chest 
and  belly,  which  are  soon  followed  by  death. 

Treatment  i»  of  no  avail.  Affected  animals  should  be  killed  at  an 
early  stage  of  the  disease. 

SPLENITIS — INFLAMMATION   OF   TILE   SPLEEN. 

With  few  exceptions  veterinarians  agreo  that  the  recognition  of  dis- 
6>n  affecting  the  spleen  is  rarely  made  during  life,  unless  in  the  case 
of  certain  febrile  and  contagious  diseases,  in  which  the  spleen  is  known 


56  DISEASES   OP   CATTLE. 

to  be  involved  to  a  greater  or  less  extent.  The  writer  agrees  with  the 
general  opinion  on  this  point,  as  in  those  cases  in  which  he  has  seen 
the  spleen  show  traces  of  disease,  and  in  which  the  disease  was  of  a 
primary  and  not  of  a  secondary  character,  the  symptoms  have  been  so 
obscure  as  to  render  it  impossible  to  draw  any  certain  conclusion  as  to 
their  significance.  Cruzel,  a  French  writer  on  the  diseases  of  cattle, 
stated,  however,  that  he  had  frequently  met  with  cases  of  inflammation 
of  the  spleen  in  cattle,  and  that  he  had  no  difficulty  in  recognizing 
them.  We  give  here  the  substance  of  CruzeFs  account  of  inflammation 
of  the  spleen,  though  we  think  that  to  judge  from  his  description  of  the 
post-mortem  appearances  it  might  more  properly  be  termed  congestion 
of  the  spleen  and  liver  than  inflammation  of  the  spleen.  Splenitismay 
occur  as  an  acute  affection,  as  very  acute  or  intense,  or  as  a  chronic 
form  of  disorder. 

Causes. — Oxen  of  a  sanguine  temperament  which  are  worked  hard, 
and  which,  owing  to  the  nature  of  their  work,  are  frequently  interrupted 
while  ruminating,  are  from  these  conditions  exposed  to  sudden  attacks 
of  congestion  of  the  spleen.  Cold  and  wet,  the  long-continued  use  of 
very  nutritive  forage,  and  severe  exertion,  by  increasing  the  circulation 
and  bringing  on  disorder  of  the  digestive  functions,  may  ultimately 
give  rise  to  this  malady.  The  custom  of  working  oxen  immediately 
after  they  have  been  fed,  their  stomachs  filled  with  food,  and  there- 
fore incapable  of  severe  exertion,  is  regarded  as  a  frequent  cause  of 
this  malady. 

Symptoms  of  a  general  character  may  be  observed,  such  as  dryness 
of  the  muzzle,  loss  of  appetite,  absence  of  rumination,  gait  slow  and 
stiff, 'and  sensibility  when  pressure  is  applied  on  the  loins.  But  the 
symptoms  which  are  specially  characteristic  of  splenitis  areas  follows: 
Shivering,  tension  of  the  left  flank,  and  difficult  breathing;  the  ox  walks 
with  difficulty,  as  if  the  bending  of  the  left  fore  and  hind  legs  caused 
pain.  Fullness  of  the  left  flank,  but  differing  from  the  fullness  of  tym- 
panitis or  hoven,  as  it  is  produced  by  displacement  of  the  spleen  in  a 
backward  direction,  so  that  when  the  flank  is  percussed  or  lightly  struck 
with  the  tips  of  the  fingers  a  dull  sound  is  produced  like  that  occa- 
sioned by  the  resistance  offered  by  a  soft  body.  The  congested  condi- 
tion of  the  spleen  brings  about  its  displacement.  The  following  case 
illustrates  how  the  disease  arises:  An  8-year-old  ox  had  been  fed 
heavily  on  dry  lucern,  and  was  immediately  afterwards  put  to  work 
drawing  gravel;  he  continued  working  for  two  hours  without  showing 
sickness,  but  did  not  ruminate.  All  at  once,  however,  his  flank  swelled 
up  and  he  showed  considerable  pain  when  pressed  strongly  on  the  left 
flank.  This  case  is  referred  to  in  order  to  show  the  practical  importance 
of  the  symptom  last  described. 

Congestion  of  the  spleen  occurs  suddenly  as  the  consequence  of  inter- 
rupted rumination  and  hard  work.  Its  duration  is  short  if  treatment 
is  applied  without  delay,  but  longer  if  the  action  of  the  cause  is  inter- 
.  mittent.  In  the  first  case  there  is  a  rapid  recovery  owing  to  the  speedy 


DISEASES   OF   THE    DIGESTIVE   ORGANS.  57 

subsidence  of  the  congestion.  When  the  congestion  is  of  long  dura- 
tion the  malady  becomes  chronic,  and  the  result  may  be  fatal  if  the 
cause  continues  to  act  violently  and  without  cessation.  The  account 
of  the  following  case  illustrates  the  foregoing  statement: 

A  C-y  ear-old  ox  was  fed  a  large  quantity  of  green  corn  about  mid- 
night ;  he  was  afterwards  driven  so  fast  that  he -could  not  ruminate, 
and  then  compelled  to  draw  a  heavy  load.  At  10  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing he  fell  down,  when  it  was  noticed  that  his  abdomen  was  swollen ; 
he  was  forced  up  and  had  hardly  been  unyoked  when  he  fell  dead. 

Lesions. — On  opening  this  ox  a  large  quantity  of  green  corn  was  found 
in  the  rumen  which  had  only  been  masticated  once.  There  were  sev- 
eral quarts  of  blood  in  the  abdomen,  the  spleen  was  much  enlarged, 
and  had  several  ruptures  at  different  points  along  its  posterior  border. 

Treatment. — Bleeding  is  the  first  means  to  be  employed  in  treating 
congestion  of  the  spleen.  The  bleeding  should  be  copious,  and  the  first 
abstraction  of  blood  should  not  be  less  than  five  quarts.  In  making 
this  estimate  the  author  is  supposed  to  take  as  the  type  a  working  ox 
which  was  in  good  condition  at  the  time  of  his  becoming  affected  with 
congestion  of  the  spleen.  If  there  is  not  a  marked  improvement  in  the 
animal's  state  two  hours  after  he  is  bled  he  should  be  bled  again.  In 
cases  of  this  kind,  which  are  not  of  a  very  a«ute  character,  bathing  of 
the  left  flank  with  cold  water  is  recommended. 

In  addition  to  the  above  measures  mild,  soothing,  acidulated  drafts 
should  be  given,  low  diet,  rest,  and  occasional  injections  of  a  small 
quantity  of  lukewarm  water. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  PERITONEUM. 
PERITONITIS. 

Peritonitis  may  be  divided  into  certain  varieties,  according  to  its 
mode  of  causation;  (1)  Traumatic,  when  the  disease  arises  from  wounds 
penetrating  the  abdomen;  (2)  Idiopathic,  when  the  disease  arises  from 
exposure  to  cold  and  wet.  The  second  variety  of  peritonitis  occurs 
chiefly  among  working  oxen,  and  it  may  here  be  mentioned  that  in  those 
animals  the  membrane  which  lines  the  abdomen  and  covers  the  outer 
surface  of  the  bowels  is  apt  to  become  congested  by  sudden  chilling  of 
the  skin,  which  empties  its  rich  network  of  small  blood-vessels  to  a 
large  extent,  so  that  the  blood  must  accumulate  in  some  part  of  the 
interior  of  the  body. 

Gawie*. — When  a  working  ox  has  been  warmed  up  and  is  sweating 
during  hard  work  he  may  have  to  stand  for  some  tim^  exposed  to  cold 
wind  or  to  a  cold  ruin,  which  soon  chills  the  surface  of  his  body.  When 
cattle  are  driven  through  rivers  or  into  ponds,  so  that  their  bodies 
become  wet,  and  they  afterward  lie  on  the  ground  when  the  air  is  cold, 
such  exposure  may  produce  peritonitis.  Wounds  penetrating  the  abdo- 
men may  also  cause  it. 

Symptom*. — A  continuous  or  occasional  shivering;  the  animal  lies 


58  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

down,  but  appears  uneasy;  it  frequently  turns  its  head  towards  its  belly 
and  lows  plaintively ;  pressure  on  the  flanks  produces  pain;  has  no 
appetite;  muzzle  is  dry  and  no  rumination;  while  standing  its  legs  are 
placed  well  under  its  body;  pulse  small  and  hard.  The  evacuations 
from  the  bowels  are  dry  and  hard.  If  this  disease  is  complicated  by 
the  presence  of  inflammation  of  the  bowels  the  pain  is  more  severe  and 
the  animal  is  more  restless.  The  skin  is  cold  and  dry  in  the  early  stage 
of  this  disease,  but  in  a  more  advanced  stage  this  condition  may  be 
succeeded  by  heat  of  the  skin  and  quick  breathing.  The  fits  of  trem- 
bling, uneasiness,  small  and  hard  pulse  and  tension  of  the  left  flank  are 
symptoms  the  presence  of  which  should  enable  one  to  reach  the  conclu- 
sion that  peritonitis  exists. 

Post-mortem  appearance. — The  membrane  lining  the  abdomen  and 
covering  the  surface  of  the  bowels  is  reddened  to  a  greater  or  less  extent, 
and  there  is  usually  considerable  serous  or  watery  fluid  collected  in  the 
abdomen. 

Treatment. — When  we  have  to  do  with  the  traumatic  form  of  perito- 
nitis, as  when  the  horn  of  another  animal  has  been  thrust  through  the 
abdominal  walls,  this  lesion  must  be  treated  in  accordance  with  direc- 
tions before  given,  but  the  general  treatment  must  be  similar  to  that 
which  follows :  Peritonitis  resulting  from  castration  or  from  parturition 
fever  must  also  be  treated  in  connection  with  the  special  conditions 
which  give  rise  to  it,  as  the  general  treatment  of  this  disease  must  be 
modified  to  some  extent  by  the  exciting  cause. 

The  body  should  be  warmly  clothed,  and  it  is  advisable,  when  prac- 
ticable, to  have  a  blanket  which  has  been  wrung  out  of  hot  water 
placed  over  the  abdomen,  then  covered  by  several  dry  blankets,  which 
are  maintained  in  position  by  straps  or  ropes  passing  round  the  body. 
The  wet  blanket  must  be  changed  as  it  cools — the  object  of  treatment 
being  to  warm  the  surface  of  the  body  and  to  determine  as  much  blood 
to  the  skin  as  possible.  When  the  matter  of  clothing  the  body  has 
been  attended  to  the  aim  of  treatment  must  be :  (1)  To  obtain  rest  for 
the  affected  parts;  (2)  to  subdue  inflammation  and  fever;  (3)  to  sustain 
the  animal's  strength.  The  first  indication  is  to  give  a  dose  of  lauda- 
num or  powdered  opium.  An  ounce  and  a  half  of  the  first  or  a  dram 
of  the  second  may  be  given  in  a  pint  of  tepid  water,  and  if  the  pain  is 
not  perceptibly  allayed  the  dose  should  be  repeated  in  two  hours.  It 
is  dangerous  to  give  purgatives  in  peritonitis,  as  they  stimulate  the 
movements  of  the  bowels,  increase  the  suflfering,  and  aggravate  the 
disease.  Tincture  of  aconite  should  be  given  in  ten-drop  doses  every 
two  hours  for  the  purpose  of  reducing  fever  and  inflammation.  Cruzel 
strongly  recommends  bleeding  for  this  purpose,  but  it  should  only  be 
applied  when  the  pulse  is  strong  and  when  the  animal  is  in  good  con- 
dition, and  it  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  it  can  not  have  any  bene- 
ficial effect,  but  the  reverse,  if  inflammation  has  existed  for  two  days. 
The  diet  should  consist  of  laxative  food  and  drinks,  such  as  Unseed 
tea.  If  peritonitis  assumes  chronic  form  the  diet  should  be  nutritious, 


DISEASES    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  59 

such  as  hay,  cornstalks,  linseed  cake,  grass,  etc.,  and  iodide  of  potas- 
sium should  be  given  in  drain  doses  dissolved  in  a  pint  of  water  three 
times  a  day. 

DROPSY   OF   THE   ABDOMEN — ASCITES. 

In  this  disease  there  is  a  serous  or  watery  effusion  in  the  cavity  of 
the  abdomen. 

Causes. — When  old  animals  are  worked  and  fed  on  innutritions  food 
they  become  what  is  termed  aua?mic;  or,  iu  other  words,  their  blood 
becomes  impoverished  and  dropsy  is  a  common  result  of  such  treat- 
ment. An  innutritions  and  insufficient  diet  will  produce  the  same 
effect  in  young  animals.  The  exposure  of  cattle  to  sudden  changes  of 
temperature  and  the  chilling  effect  of  cold  and  wet  acting  on  the  skin 
may  develop  this  disease.  It  is  one  of  the  results  of  peritonitis,  and 
may  also  arise  from  acute  or  chronic  inflammation  of  the  liver,  such  as 
is  of  common  occurrence  when  flukes  are  present  in  the  liver  in  large 
numbers.  When  dropsy  depends  on  disease  of  the  liver  it  develops 
very  gradually,  and  this  may  also  be  said  in  regard  to  it  when  its  occur- 
rence is  associated  with  an  insufficient  amount  of  nutriment  having 
been  supplied  to  the  animal. 

Symptom*. — A  gradual  increase  in  the  size  of  the  abdomen  at  its 
lower  part,  while  the  flanks  become  hollow;  pallor  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  month  and  eye;  weak  and  sluggish  gait;  want  of  appetite, 
and  irregularity  in  ruminating.  On  percussion  or  tapping  the  surface 
of  tin-  abdomen  with  the  fingers  a  dull  sound  is  produced.  If  the  hand 
and  arm  an-  oiled  and  passed  into  the  rectum  as  far  as  possible,  on 
moving  tho  hand  from  one  side  to  the  other,  the  fluctuation  caused  by 
the  presence  of  fluid  in  the  abdomen  may  be  felt. 

Treatment. — The  diet  should  be  nutritious,  and  in  those  cases  where 
we  have  merely  to  deal  with  ana-niia  (the  bloodless  state)  arising  from 
insufficient  diet  the  use  of  tonics  and  diuretics,  at  the  same  time  keep- 
ing the  skin  warm,  will  bring  about  a  gradual  absorption  of  the  fluid 
contained  in  the  abdomen.  One  of  the  following  powders  should  be 
mixed  with  the  animal's  food  three  times  a  day;  or,  if  there  is  any 
uncertainty  as  to  its  being  taken  in  that  way,  it  should  be  mixed  with 
sirup,  so  as  to  form  a  paste,  and  smeared  well  back  on  the  animal's 
tongue  with  a  flat  wooden  spoon:  Carbonate  of  iron,- 3  ounces;  pow- 
dered gentian,  3  ounces ;  powdered  nitrate  of  potash,  3  ounces.  Mix 
and  divide  into  twelve  powders.  The  administration  of  purgatives 
which  promote  a  watery  discharge  from  the  mucous  surface  of  tho  bow- 
els, also  tends,  by  diminishing  the  serum  of  the  blood,  to  bring  about 
;ili-..r])tioii  ami  a  gradual  removal  of  the  fluid  contained  in  the  abdo- 
men. L.I i ••_:••  <!'-,  ,  ^hould  not  be  given,  but  moderate  dosvs  should  be 
administered  morning  and  night,  so  as  to  produce  a  laxative  effect  on 
the  bowels  for  some  days.  To  attain  this  end  the  following  may  be 
used:  Sulphate  of  soda,  8  ounces;  powdered  ginger,  half  an  ounce; 
mix  in  2  quarts  of  tepid  water,  and  then  give  at  one  dose. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATES. 

PLATK  I : 

Position  of  the  first  stomacli  (paunch,  rumen)  on  the  left  side:  a,  the  situation 
of  the  rumen;  Z>,  the  spleen  or  milt  resting  on  it;  c,  the  skin  and  muscles 
removed  from  the  ribs  to  show  position  of  the  lungs  and  their  relation  to 
the  paunch. 
PLATE  II : 

Fig.  1.  Stomach  of  a  full-grown  sheep  £  natural  size.  After  Thanhoffer,  from  R- 
Mcade  Smith's  Physiology  of  Domestic  Animals:  a,  rumen  or  first  stomach; 
&,  reticulum  or  second  stomach ;  c,  omasum  or  third  stomach ;  d,  abomasum 
or  fourth  stomach;  e,  oesophagus  or  gullet  opening  into  first  and  second 
stomachs ;  /,  opening  of  fourth  stomach  into  small  intestine ;  g,  opening  of 
second  stomach  into  third;  h,  opening  of  third  stomach  into  fourth. 
The  lines  indicate  the  course  of  the  food  in  the  stomachs.  The  incompletely 
masticated  food  passes  down  the  oesophagus  or  gullet  into  the  first  and  second 
stomachs,  in  which  a  churning  motion  is  kept  up,  carrying  the  food  from 
side  to  side  and  from  stomach  to  stomach.  From  the  first  stomach  regurgi- 
tation  takes  place — that  is,  the  food  is  returned  through  the  gullet  to  the 
month  to  be  more  thoroughly  masticated  or  chewed,  and  this  constitutes 
what  is  known  as  "  chewing  the  cud."  From  the  second  stomach  the  food 
passes  into  the  third,  and  from  the  third  into  the  fourth  or  true  stomach,  and 
from  there  into  the  intestines. 

Fig.  2.  Stomach  of  ox.  After  Colin,  from  R.  Meade  Smith's  Physiology  of  Domes- 
tic Animals :  «,  rumen ;  6,  reticulum ;  c,  omasum ;  d,  abomasnm ;  e,  oesopha- 
gus; /,  opening  of  fourth  stomach  into  small  intestine. 

Fiirstenberg  calculated  that  in  an  ox  of  1,400  pounds  weight  the  capacity  of  the 
stomachs  is  as  follows : 

Per  cent. 

Rumen  149.25  quarts,  liquid  measure 62. 4 

Reticulum  23.77  quarts 10 

Omasum  36.98  quarts 15 

Abomasum  29.05  quarts 12. 6 

According  to  Coliu —  Quarts. 

The  capacity  of  a  beefs  stomach  is 266. 81 

Small  intestine 69. 74 

Caecum 9. 51 

Colon  and  rectum 25. 58 

PLATE  III: 

Fig.  1.  Clinical  thermometer,  J  natural  size.  This  is  used  to  determine  the  tem- 
perature of  the  animal  body.  The  thermometer  is  passed  into  the  rectum 
after  having  been  moistened  with  a  little  saliva  from  the  mouth,  or  after 
having  had  a  little  oil  or  lard  rubbed  upon  it  to  facilitate  its  passage.  There 
it  is  allowed  to  remain  two  or  three  minutes,  then  withdrawn,  and  the  tem- 
60 


DISEASES   OF   THE   DIGESTIVE   ORGANS.  61 

PLATE  III— Continued. 

perature  read  as  in  any  ordinary  thermometer.  The  clinical  thermometer  is 
made  self- registering — that  is,  the  mercury  in  the  stem  remains  at  the  height 
to  which  it  was  forced  by  the  heat  of  the  body  until  it  is  shaken  back  into 
the  bulb  by  taking  hold  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  instrument  and  giving 
it  a  short,  sharp  swing.  The  normal  temperature  of  cattle  varies  from 
100°  to  103°  F.  In  young  animals  it  is  somewhat  higher  than  in  old. 
The  thermometer  is  a  very  useful  instrument  and  frequently  is  the  means  by 
which  disease  is  detected  before  the  appearance  of  any  external  sign. 

Fig.  2.  Simple  probaug,  used  to  dislodge  foreign  bodies  like  apples,  potatoes, 
eggs,  «tc.,  which  have  become  fastened  or  stuck  in  the  oesophagus  or  gullet. 

Fig.  3.  Grasping  or  forceps  probaug.  This  instrument,  also  intended  to  remove 
obstructions  -from  the  gullet,  has  a  spring  forceps  at  one  end  in  the  place  of 
the  cap-like  arrangement  at  the  end  of  the  simple  probaug.  The  forceps  are 
closed  while  the  probaug  is  being  introduced;  their  blades  arc  regulated  by 
a  screw  in  the  handle  of  the  instrument.  This  probaug  is  used  to  grasp  and 
withdraw  an  article  which  may  have  lodged  in  the  gullet  and  can  not  be 
forced  into  the  stomach  by  use  of  the  simple  probang. 

Fig.  4.  Wooden  gag,  used  when  the  probang  is  to  bo  passed.  The  gag  is  a  piece 
of  wood  which  fits  in  the  animal's  mouth;  a  cord  passes  over  the  head  to 
hold  it  in  place.  The  central  opening  in  the  wood  is  intended  for  the  passage 
of  the  probang. 

Figs.  5a  and  5&.  Trocar  and  cauula;  5a  shows  the  trocar  covered  by  the  cauula; 
56,  the  canula  from  which  the  trocar  has  been  withdrawn.  This  instrument 
is  used  when  the  rumen  or  first  stomach  becomes  distended  with  gas.  The 
trocar  covered  by  the  canula  is  forced  into  the  rumen,  the  trocar  withdrawn, 
and  the  cannla  allowed  to  remain  until  the  gas  has  escaped. 

Fig.  6.  Section  at  right  angles  through  the  abdominal  wall,  showing  a  hernia  or 
rupture.  Taken  from  D'Aborval,  Diet,  de  Med.,  dc  Chit:  ct  de  Hyg.:  a  a,  The 
abdominal  muscles  cut  across;  r,  opening  in  the  abdominal  wall  permitting 
j  i,  the  intestines,  to  pass  through  and  outward  between  the  abdominal  wall 
and  the  skin;  p  p,  peritoneum  or  membrane  lining  the  abdominal  cavity 
carried  through  the  opening  o,  by  the  loop  of  intestine  and  forming  the  sac 
p,  the  outer  walls  of  which  are  marked  bfb. 
PLATE  IV: 

The  liver  is  composed  of  innumerable  small  lobules  from  -^  to  ^  inch  in  diameter. 
The  lobules  arc  held  together  by  a  .-mall  amount  of  fibrous  tissue  in  which  the 
bile  ducts  and  larger  blood  vessels  are  lodged.  Fig.  1  of  the  diagram  illus- 
trates the  structure  of  a  lobule :  r,  r,  intcrlobular  veins,  or  the  veins  between 
the  lobules.  There  arc  branches  of  the  portal  vein  which  carries  blood  from 
the  stomach  and  intestines  to  the  liver ;  c,  c,  capillaries,  or  very  fine  blood  ves- 
sels, extending  a*  a  very  fine  network  between  the  groups  of  liver  cells  from 
the  interlobiilar  vein  to  the  center  of  the  lobule  and  emptying  there  injo  the 
intralobular  vein  to  the  center  of  the  lobule;  r,  r,  intralobnlar  vein,  or  the 
vein  within  tho  lobule.  This  \i  -s<  1  passes  out  of  the  lobule  and  there 
becomes  the  Hiiblobular  vein  ;  r,  «,  Hiiblobular  vein.  This  joins  other  similar 
veins  and  helps  to  form  the  hepatic  vein  through  which  the  blood  leaves  the 
liver;  d,  d,  the  position  of  the  liver  cells  between  the  meshes  of  the  capil- 
laries; A,  A,  branches  of  the  hepatic  artery  to  the  Interlobular  connective 
t  i  — !!••  and  the  walls  of  the  large  veins  and  large  bile  ducts.  These  hraiiche* 

»arc«een  at  r.  r,  and  form  the  vena  vn«cularin;  v,  r,vi'imvaKcularis;  i,i.  branches 
of  the  hepatic  artery  entering  the  substance,  of  the  lobule  and  connecting 
with  capillaries  from  the  interlobiilar  vein.  The  n.so  of  the  hepatic  artery 
is  to  nourish  the  liver  while  the  other  vc*weln  carry  blood  to  be  modified  by 
the  liver  cells  in  certain  important  directions;  y,  brunches  of  the  bile  dm-ln 


62  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

PI.ATK  IV — Continued. 

carrying  bile  from  the  various  lobules  into  the  gall  bladder  ami  into  the 
intestines;  x,  x,  intralobular  bile  capillaries  between  the  liver  cells.  These 
form  a  network  of  very  minute  tubes  surrounding  each  ultimate  cell  which 
receives  the  bile  as  it  is  formed  by  the  liver  cells  and  carried  ontward  as 
described. 

Fig.  ii.  Isolated  liver  cellar  c,  blood  capillary;  a,  fine  bile  capillary  channel. 
PLATE  V: 

Appearance  of  ergot  in  hay:  1,  blue  grass;  2,  timothy;  3,  wild  rye;  4,  red-top. 
Ergot  is  a  fungus  which  may  affect  any  member  of  the  grass  family.     The  spore 
of  the  fungus,  by  some  means  brought  in  contact  with  the  undeveloped  seed 
of  the  grass,  grows,  obliterates  the  .seed  and  practically  takes  its  place. 
When  hay  affected  with  ergot  is  fed  to  animals  it  is  productive  of  a  charac- 
teristic and  serious  affection  or  poisoning  known  as  ergotism. 
PLATE  VI : 

Illustrates  the  effects  of  ergot.  The  lower  part  of  the  limb  of  a  cow  showing  the 
loss  of  skin  and  flesh  in  a  narrow  ring  around  the  pastern  bone,  and  the 
exposure  of  the  bone  itself. 


PLATE    II 


HTO.MAm    O 


m 


5 go 


2. 


I\" 


, 


MICIUISCOI'll1    ANATOMY    (»K   Tl  I K     IJVKIl 


PLATK     V. 


Mnrv  ftii.ii   .Viniii 


Kill  JOT     IX     HAY 


PLATE  VI 


KI/<  iOTISM 


POISONS  AND  POISONING. 


By  the  late  V.  T.  ATKINSON,  V.  8., 

Professor    of  Veterinary  Science,    Wisconsin  Stale    University,    Ex-State   Veterinarian, 

Wisconsin,  etc. 


To  clearly  define  the  meaning  of  the  word  poison  would  be  somewhat 
difficult.  Even  in  law  the  word  has  never  been  defined,  and  when  a 
definition  is  attempted  we  are  apt  to  include  either  too  much  or  too 
little.  The  following  is  perhaps  as  clear  a  definition  as  it  is  possible  to 
give:  "A  poison  is  a  substance  having  an  inherent  deleterious  prop- 
erty rendering  it  capable  of  destroying  life  by  whatever  avenue  it 
li mis  access  to  the  system,  or  it  is  a  substance  which,  when  introduced 
into  the  system  or  applied  externally,  injures  health  or  destroys  life 
irrespective  of  mechanical  means  or  thermal  changes."  The  common 
conception  of  a  ix>ison  is  any  substance  which  will  destroy  life,  in  small 
quantity,  excepting  such  as  act  by  purely  mechanical  means,  as,  for 
example,  powdered  glass. 

THE   ACTION  OF   POISONS. 

This  may  be  either  local,  and  exerted  directly  on  the  tissues  with 
which  they  come  in  contact,  or  remote,  acting  through  the  circulation 
or  net  von-  .-yMem;  or  both  local  and  remote  action  may  be  exerted  by 
the  same  drug.  Poisons  which  act  locally  generally  either  destroy  by 
corrosion  the  tissues  with  which  they  come  in  contact,  or  by  inhalation 
set  up  acute  inflammation.  When  any  corrosive  agent  is  taken  into  the 
stomach  in  poisonous  quantities  a  group  of  symptoms  is  developed 
which  is  common  to  all.  The  tissues  with  which  the  agent  conies  in 
contact  are  destroyed,  sloughing  and  acute  inflammation  of  the  surround 
ing  structures  take  place ;  intense  pain  in  the  abdomen  and  death  ensue. 
In  a  like  manner,  but  with  less  rapidity,  the  same  result  is  reached 
if  the  agent  used  bo  not  of  a  sufficiently  corrosive  nature  to  destroy 
the  tissues,  but  snlnciently  irritating  to  set  up  acute  inflammation  of 
the  mucous  membrane  of  the  digestive  tract.  (W  the  poisons  exert- 
ing a  remote  influence,  the  Action  is  quite  different,  little  or  no  local 
effect  luting  produced  upon  the  digestive  organs.  Tho  poisons,  when 
absorbed  and  transmitted  through  the  agency  of  the  eircnlation,  cxort 

63 


64  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

their  baneful  influence,  and  though  some  of  them  act  with  extreme 
rapidity  no  effect  can  be  produced  until  the  agent  has  been  absorbed. 
The  poisonous  effect  of  any  substance  is  modified  by  the  quantity  used ; 
by  its  chemical  combinations;  by  the  part  of  the  animal  structure  with 
which  it  conies  in  contact;  and  also  by  the  physical  condition  of  the  sub- 
ject. As  an  illustration,  opium  may  be  given  with  safety  in  much  larger 
doses  to  an  animal  suffering  from  acute  pain  than  to  one  free  from  pain, 
and  to  an  adult  animal  with  greater  safety  than  to  a  young  one.  The 
rapidity  with  which  the  poison  is  absorbed,  owing  to  the  part  of  the 
body  with  which  it  is  brought  in  contact,  is  also  an  important  factor. 
So  marked  is  this  quality  that  some  agents  which  have  the  power  of 
destroying  life  with  almost  absolute  certainty  when  introduced  beneath 
the  skin,  may  be  taken  into  the  stomach  without  causing  even  notice- 
able inconvenience,  as  curara,  the  arrow  poison,  or  the  venomous  secre- 
tion of  the  snake  fang.  Other  agents  in  chemical  combination  may  tend 
to  intensify,  lessen,  or  wholly  neutralize  the  poisonous  effect.  For 
example,  arsenic  in  itself  has  well-marked  poisonous  properties,  but 
when  brought  in  contact  with  dialyzed  iron  it  forms  an  insoluble  com- 
pound and  becomes  innocuous.  Idiosyncracies  are  not  so  noticeable  in 
cattle  practice  as  in  practice  among  human  beings,  but  the  uncertainty 
with  which  some  drugs  exert  their  influence  would  lead  us  to  believe 
that  well-marked  differences  in  susceptibility  exist.  Even  in  some  cases 
a  tolerance  for  poison  is  engendered  so  that  in  a  herd  of  animals  equally 
exposed  injurious  or  fatal  effects  do  not  appear  with  uniformity.  For 
example,  among  cattle  that  are  compelled  to  drink  water  holding  in 
solution  a  salt  of  lead,  the  effects  of  the  poisoning  will  be  found  vary- 
ing all  the  way  from  fatality  to  iinperceptibility. 

GENERAL,    SYMPTOMS   OF   POISONING. 

So  widely  varied  are  the  symptoms  produced  by  different  poisonous 
agents  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  lay  down  even  a  general  rule  of 
symptoms  which  may  be  applied  to  all  cases.  Ordinarily,  poisoning  is 
not  suspected  until  after  the  death  of  the  affected  animal.  To  estab- 
lish the  presence  or  absence  of  poison  in  the  system  becomes  necessary 
only  with  a  view  to  arresting  its  effect  on  other  animals  that  may  have 
been  similarly  exposed,  or  to  promote  the  ends  of  justice  in  criminal 
jurisprudence.  The  symptoms  shown  before  death  are  likely  to  give 
reason  to  suspect  either  intestinal  irritation,  with  manifestation  similar 
to  those  of  colic ;  or  disordered  brain  function  with  the  characteristic 
indications  of  vertigo,  coma,  paralysis,  dilatation,  or  contraction  of  the 
pupil,  etc.  The  animal  secretions  and  excretions  may  be  perverted, 
augmented,  or  suppressed.  Chemical  analysis  and  philosophical  expe- 
riments only  can  determine  with  absolute  certainty  the  presence  of 
many  of  the  poisons.  On  the  other  hand,  diagnosis  may  be  reached 
with  reasonable  certainty  where  the  previous  history  of  the  case  is 
known,  as  well  as  the  surroundings  and  the  poisonous  agents  to  which 
the  animal  would  be  likely  to  have  access. 


POISONS    AND    POISONING.  65 

GENERAL    TREATMENT. 

The  treatment  of  animals  suffering  from  poison  must  vary  according 
to  the  nature  of  the  toxic  agent.  There  are  a  few  general  plans  of 
action,  however,  which  should  be  followed  as  far  as  possible.  If  a 
stomach-pump  can  be  procured  no  time  shonld  be  lost  in  emptying  the 
stomach  of  its  contents  and  carefully  washing  that  organ  by  either 
injecting  pure  water  or  a  solution  of  the  proper  antidote.  If  the  stomach 
can  not  be  emptied,  the  antidote  should  be  administered  which  will 
counteract  or  neutralize  the  particular  poison  from  which  the  animal  is 
Buffering,  such  as  powdered  chalk  to  neutralize  acid  poison.  If  the 
poison  has  been  taken  in  solid  form  and  there  is  a  probability  that  part 
of  it  is  still  undissolved  its  further  destructive  action  may  be  arrested 
by  the  administration  of  mucilaginous  drinks,  as  infusions  of  flaxseed, 
white  of  eggs,  acacia  (gum  arabic),  etc.  Where  the  poison  is  known  to 
be  one  that  is  not  likely  to  exert  its  influence  on  the  stomach  directly 
but  remotely,  every  effort  should  be  made  to  neutralize  any  part  of  it 
that  »ay  remain  unabsorbed,  and  to  as  far  as  possible  fortify  the  sys- 
tem against  its  action,  as  by  the  use  of  atropia  in  opium-poisoning,  or 
the  placing  of  the  patient  under  the  influence  of  chloroform  or  ether 
when  poisoned  by  strychnine.  A  poisonous  agent  may  be  so  gradually 
introduced  into  the  system  as  to  slowly  develop  the  power  of  resistance 
against  its'  action.  In  other  cases,  where  the  poison  is  introduced  slowly, 
the  poisonous  action  becomes  cumulative,  and  although  there  is  no 
increase  in  the  quantity  taken  violent  symptoms  are  suddenly  developed, 
as  if  the  whole  amount,  the  consumption  of  which  may  have  extended 
over  a  considerable  period,  had  been  given  in  one  dose.  Other  agents, 
poisonous  in  their  nature,  tend  to  deteriorate  some  of  the  important 
organs  and  interfering  with  their  natural  functions  are  productive  of  con- 
ditions of  ill-health  which,  although  not  necessarily  fatal,  are  important. 
Such  a  class  might  properly  be  called  chronic  poisons.  Poisons  of  them- 
selves dangerous  when  administered  in  large  doses  are  used  medicinally 
for  curative  purposes,  and  a  very  large  percentage  of  the  pharmaceutical 
preparations  used  in  the  practice  of  medicine  if  given  in  excessive  quan- 
tities might  produce  serious  results.  In  the  administration  of  medicines, 
therefore,  care  should  be  exercised  not  only  that  the  animal  is  not 
poisoned  by  the  administration  of  an  excessive  dose,  but  that  injury  is 
not  done  by  continued  treatment  with  medicines  the  administration  of 
which  is  not  called  for. 

ARSENIC   POISONING. 

Of  the  common  irritant  and  corrosive  poisons,  arsenic,  especially  one 
of  its  compounds  (Paris  green  or  ar«enit<j  of  copper),  is  likely  to  be  the 
most  dangerous  to  our  class  of  patients.  The  common  practice  of  using 
Paris  green  as  an  insecticide  for  the  destruction  of  potato  beetle  and 
other  vegetable  parasite*  hug  had  the  effect  of  introducing  it  into 
24697 5 


66  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

almost  all  of  our  farming  establishments.  White  arsenic  is  also  a  prin- 
cipal ingredient  in  many  of  the  popnlar  sheep  dipping  preparations, 
and  poisoning  from  this  source  occasionally  takes  place,  when,  after 
dipping,  the  flock  are  allowed  to  run  in  a  yard  in  which  there  is  loose 
fodder.  The  drippings  from  the  wool  of  the  sheep  falling  on  the  fod- 
der render  it  poisonous,  and  dangerous  to  animal  life  if  eaten.  Famil- 
iarity with  its  use  has  in  many  instances  tended  to  breed  contempt  for 
its  potency  as  a  poison.  Its  action  is  the  same  as  that  of  all  the  solu- 
ble chemical  compounds  of  arsenic;  it  acts  as  a  powerful  irritant  to 
the  stomach  and  intestines,  setting  up  acute  inflammation  of  any  part 
of  the  alimentary  tract  with  which  it  comes  in  contact. 

The  symptoms  first  appear  as  those  of  colic;  the  animal  is  restless, 
stamping  with  the  feet,  lying  down  and  getting  up.  There  is  tender- 
ness on  pressure  over  the  abdomen.  The  acute  symptoms  increase;  in 
a  few  hours  violent  diarrhea  is  developed ;  in  many  cases  blood  and 
shreds  of  detached  mucous  membrane  are  mixed  with  the  evacuations. 
There  is  irregular  and  feeble  pulse  and  perspiration,  and  death  is  likely 
to  supervene  between  the  eighteenth  hour  and  the  third  day.  If  the 
latter  period  is  past  there  is  a  reasonable  hope  of  recovery. 

Treatment  consists  in  the  use  of  the  stomach-pump.  After  the  stom- 
ach is  completely  emptied  there  may  be  a  liberal  administration  of 
demulcents,  such  as  flaxseed  tea,  boiled  starch,  acacia,  .etc.  The 
freshly  precipitated  hydrate. or  dialyzed  iron  should  be  given.  The 
amount  of  the  dose  must  be  regulated  by  the  urgency  of  the  symptoms 
and  the  amount  of  poison  the  animal  has  probably  taken.  The  safest 
plan  is  to  give  small  doses  at  frequent  intervals.  The  effect  of  prepa- 
tions  of  iron  is  to  entangle  the  poison  and  convert  it  into  an  insoluble 
arsenite  of  iron.  The  hydrate  may  be  given  in  ounce  doses,  repeated 
every  hour  until  relief  is  obtained,  or  until  four  or  five  doses  have  been 
given. 

LEAD   POISONING. 

The  salts  of  lead,  particularly  sugar  of  lead  (acetate)  are  irritant 
poisons,  but  not  of  great  activity.  Death  may  result  from  their  con- 
tinued use,  but  recovery  is  probable,  unless  they  are  taken  in  very 
large  quantities.  Having  a  somewhat  salty  taste,  animals  are  likely  to 
lick  old  paint  pots.  Lead  poisoning  may  occur  from  accidentally  tak- 
ing solutions  of  the  sugar  of  lead  or  by  means  of  water  drawn  from 
lead  pipes. 

Symptoms  are  generally  dullness;  lying  down  with  the  head  turned 
toward  the  flank;  rumbling  in  the  abdomen,  loss  of  control  of  the  limbs 
when  walking,  twitching,  champing  of  the  jaws,  moving  in  a  circle,  con- 
vulsions, delirium,  violent  bellowing,  followed  by  stupor  and  death. 
The  symptoms  generally  extend  over  considerable  time. 

The  treatment  should  first  be  directed  toward  removing  the  cause. 
A  large  dose  of  purgative  medicine  should  be  given  and  the  brain  symp- 
toms be  relieved  by  giving  bromide  of  potassium  in  half-ounce  doses 


POISONS    AND    POISONING.  67 

every  four  or  five  hours,  arid  the  application  of  cold  water  to  the  head. 
Dilute  sulphuric  acid  in  half-ounce  doses  should  be  given  with  the  pur- 
gative medicine.  In  this  case  sulphate  of  magnesia  (Epsom  salts)  is 
tin-  best  purgative,  and  it  may  be  given  in  doses  of  from  1  to  2  pounds 
dissolved  in  warm  water.  After  the  acute  symptoms  have  abated, 
iodide  of  potassium  may  be  given  in  doses  of  2  drains  each,  three  times 
a  day  for  a  week. 

Chronic  lead  poisoning  occasionally  occurs  in  districts  where  lead 
mining  is  the  principal  industry.  The  waste  products  of  the  mine 
thrown  into  streams  contaminate  the  water  supply  so  that  the  mineral 
is  taken  into  the  system  gradually,  and  a  very  small  per  cent  of  any  of 
the  salts  taken  into  the  system  in  this  way  is  pernicious.  Water  which 
contains  any  salt  of  lead  to  the  extent  of  more  than  one-tenth  of  a  grain 
to  the  gallon  is  unfit  to  drink.  It  may  be  conveniently  tested  by  plac- 
ing it  in  a  white  porcelain  dish  and  adding  a  few  drops  of  sulphureted 
hydrogen,  when  if  the  lead  be  present  the  color  of  the  dish  will  be  dark- 
rm-il.  Such  water  when  used  continually  is  likely  to  produce  colic 
from  the  resulting  intestinal  irritation  and  in  aggravated  cases  paralysis 
more  or  less  severe  is  likely  to  be  developed.  A  blue  lino  on  the  mar- 
gin of  the  gums,  the  last  symptom,  is  regarded  as  diagnostic,  and  its 
presence  as  conclusive  evidence  of  the  nature  of  the  disorder.  The  free 
use  of  purgatives  is  indicated  with  iodide  of  potassium.  No  treatment 
is  likely  to  be  of  avail  until  the  cause  is  removed. 

COPPER  POISONS. 

The  soluble  salts  of  copper,  though  used  as  a  tonic  in  the  medicinal 
treatment  of  cattle,  are  poisonous  when  taken  in  large  quantities.  Like 
lead  and  arsenic  they  have  an  irritant  effect  upon  the  mucous  mem- 
brane with  which  they  come  in  contact  in  a  concentrated  form.  Cattle 
are  not  very  likely  to  be  poisoned  from  this  cause  unless  through  care- 
lessness. The  salts  of  copper — the  most  common  of  which  is  the  sul- 
phate of  copper,  commonly  called  blue  vitriol — are  occasionally  used 
for  disinfecting  and  cleansing  stables,  where  they  might  inadvertently 
be  mixed  with  the  food.  In  animals  having  the  power  to  vomit  it  acts 
as  an  emetic  and  tends  to  work  its  own  cure.  Cattle,  however,  al- 
though ruminants  and  having  power  to  return  parts  of  the  food  to  the 
mouth  for  remastication,  are  unable  to  empty  the  stomach  in  this  way, 
so  that  when  large  quantities  have  l>een  taken  the  tine  of  the*  Ntomach- 
pump  is  at  once  indicated.  This  should  be  followed  by  a  liberal  supply 
of  demulcent**,  linseed  infusion,  boiled  starch,  whites  of  eggs,  etc. 
The  general  symptoms  produced  are  those  of  intestinal  irritation,  short 
breathing,  stamping,  and  tender  abdomen. 

ZINC  POISONS. 

Several  of  the  soluble  salts  of  y.inc  are  irritant  poisons.  In  iinimnln 
which  have  power  to  vomit  they  are  emetic  in  their  action.  In  others, 


68  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

when  retained  in  the  stomach,  they  set  up  more  or  less  irritation  of  the 
mucous  membrane  and  abdominal  pain,  producing  symptoms  already 
described  in  the  action  of  other  poisons  which  produce  the  same  result. 
The  treatment  would  consist  of  emptying  the  stomach  and  the  use  of 
demulcents. 

PHOSPHORUS    POISONS. 

Only  one  of  the  salts  of  phosphorus  in  common  use — the  ordinary 
yellow — is  poisonous.  Phosphorus  in  this  form  is  used  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  rats  and  mice  and  other  vermin,  and  is  largely  used  in  the 
manufacture  of  matches.  In  the  stomach  it  produces  a  certain  amount 
of  disturbance  ;  vertigo  and  diarrhea  are  the  usual  symptoms.  If  taken 
in  large  quantities,  the  excreta  are  occasionally  noticed  to  be  luminous 
when  examined  in  the  dark.  The  irritant  symptoms  generally  subside 
in  a  few  days  and  the  animal  appears  to  recover  its  usual  health.  In  a 
short  time  depression  and  loss  of  appetite  are  again  noticed;  the  visible 
mucous  membranes  are  yellow  from  reabsorption  of  bile;  the  function 
of  the  liver  is  imperfectly  performed  or  suspended ;  fatty  degeneration 
of  the  structures  occur;  the  feces  are  light  colored ;  fever  of  a  semi- 
typhoid  nature  is  present,  and  death  usually  takes  place  in  ten  days  or 
two  weeks  from  the  administration  of  the  poison.  Oil  of  turpentine  is 
a  favorite  remedy,  and,  though  the  best,  is  unsatisfactory.  Recoveries 
are  not  common. 

ACID  POISONS. 

The  mineral  acids,  nitric,  sulphuric,  hydrochloric,  etc.,  when  used  in 
a  concentrated  form,  destroy  the  animal  tissues  with  which  they  come 
in  contact,  and  in  this  respect  differ  from  the  poisons  previously 
described.  The  irritant  effect  of  those  already  mentioned  might  be  the 
result  of  the  use  of  these  acids  in  a  dilute  form,  but  when  concentrated 
erosion  takes  place.  When  taken  into  the  stomach  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  mouth,  pharynx,  ossophagus,  and  stomach  is  apt  to  be 
completely  destroyed.  If  taken  in  large  quantities  death  is  likely  to 
result  so  speedily  that  nothing  can  be  done  to  relieve  the  patient,  and 
even  if  time  is  allowed  and  the  action  of  the  acid  can  be  arrested  it  can 
not  be  done  until  considerable  irreparable  damage  has  been  done.  The 
mucous  membrane  with  which  it  has  come  in  contact  in  the  oasophagus 
is  destroyed  by  the  corrosive  action  and  carried  away,  leaving  the 
muscular  tissues  exposed.  The  raw  surface  heals  irregularly,  the  cica- 
trice contracting  causes  stricture,  and  the  animal  is  likely  to  die  of 
starvation.  In  the  stomach  even  greater  damage  is  likely  to  be  done. 
The  peristaltic  action  of  the  oasophagus  having  carried  the  irritant 
along  quickly,  here  it  remains  quiet  in  contact  with  one  surface,  de- 
stroying it.  It  is  likely  to  perforate  the  organ,  and  coming  in  contact 
with  the  abdorninrl  lining  or  other  organ  of  digestion  soon  sets  up  a 


POISONS   AND    POISONING.  69 

condition  that  is  beyond  repair.  In  a  less  concentrated  form,  when  the 
acid  is  not  sufficiently  strong  to  be  corrosive,  it  exerts  an  irritant  effect. 
In  this  form,  however,  it  is  not  likely  to  do  much  harm  unless  taken  in 
considerable  quantity.  When  it  is,  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
stomach  and  intestines  becomes  inflamed;  pain  and  diarrhea  are  likely 
to  result.  Any  of  the  alkalies  may  be  nsed  as  an  antidote.  Most  con- 
venient'of  these  are  chalk,  whiting,  baking  soda,  etc. 

VEGETABLE   ACEDS. 

Oxalic  acid  in  particular  is  corrosive  in  its  action  when  taken  in  con- 
centrated solution,  losing  its  corrosive  effect  and  becoming  irritant 
when  more  dilute.  It  also  exerts  a  specific  effect  on  the  heart,  fre- 
quently causing  death  from  syncope.  Taken  in  the  form  either  of  the 
crystals  or  solution  it  is  likely  to  cause  death  in  a  very  short  time. 
Failure  of  heart  action  and  attendant  small  pulse,  weakness,  stagger- 
ing, and  convulsions  are  the  more  noticeable  syinptons.  Antacids  as 
chalk,  whiting,  etc.,  are  indicated.  The  stomach  should  be  emptied  as 
quickly  as  possible  so  as  to  get  rid  of  all  trace  of  the  poison  which  may 
not  have  been  neutralized  by  the  alkali. 

MERCURIAL   POISONS. 

Corrosive  sublimate  (bichloride  of  mercury)  is  perhaps  the  most  ter- 
rible of  corrosive  poisons.  It  proves  fatal  in  very  small  doses.  To  all 
animals  shortly  after  it  is  taken  it  produces  intense  pain  in  the  ab- 
domen from  destruction  of  the  tissues  with  which  it  is  brought  in  con- 
tact. If  it  does  not  prove  fatal  from  this  action,  being  absorbed,  it 
exerts  a  powerful  influence  on  the  liver  and  salivary  glands,  causing 
diarrhea  and  discharge  of  saliva  from  the  inouth.  As  an  antidote  the 
white  of  egg  has  the  power  of  completely  neutralizing  its  poisonous 
effect,  provided  it  can  bo  administered  before  the  poison  has  had  time 
to  exert  its  deadly  influence.  In  using  this  remedy  the  white  should 
be  separated  from  the  yolk,  mixed  with  water,  and  given  in  large  quan- 
tities; the  stomach  should  be  emptied  by  means  of  a  stomach  pump 
after  the  antidote  has  been  given. 

Chloride  of  mercury  (calomel)  is  medicinally  used.  It  is  less  power- 
ful in  its  corrosive  effect,  but  produces  the  same  general  symptoms 
when  given  in  large  doses. 

ALKALINE    POISONS. 

The  carbonates  and  sulphides  of  potash  and  soda  and  the  alkalies 
themselves  in  concentrated  form  cause  symptoms  of  intestinal  irrita- 
tion similar  to  those  produced  by  mineral  acids,  though  chemically 
incompatible  with  the  acids,  their  caustic  irritant  effects  depending  on 
their  degree  of  concentration.  When  they  reach  the  stomach  the 
symptoms  are  nearly  as  well  marked  as  in  the  case  of  the  acid.  The 


70  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

irritation  is  even  more  noticeable  and  purgation  is  likely  to  be  a  more 
prominent  symptom.  The  treatment  will  consist  as  in  the  case  of  the 
acid,  of  unloading  the  stomach  as  soon  as  practicable.  If  this  can  not 
be  done  the  poisonous  effects  of  the  alkali  may  be  neutralized  by  the 
administration  of  dilute  acids.  The  administration  of  such  an  antidote 
and  its  action  must  be  carefully  watched  during  administration.  In 
the  chemical  change  which  takes  place  when  the  acid  and  alkali  are 
combined,  carbonic  acid  gas  is  liberated,  which  may  be  to  an  extent 
sufficient  to  cause  considerable  distentioii  of  the  abdomen,  even  to 
asphyxia  from  pressure  forward  on  the  diaphragm.  Should  this  dan- 
ger present  itself  it  may  be  averted  by  opening  the  left  flank,  permit- 
ting the  gas  to  escape.  (See  Tympanitis  or  Bloating,  p.  29.) 

COAL-OIL  POISONING. 

Coal  oil  is  sometimes  administered  empirically  as  a  treatment  for 
intestinal  parasites.  If  given  in  large  doses  it  produces  poisonous 
eifects,  which  are  likely  to  be  manifest  some  time  after  the  administra- 
tion. It  acts  as  an  irritant  to  the  digestive  tract,  causing  dribbling 
of  ropy  saliva  from  the  mouth,  catharsis,  and  shreds  of  mucus  in  the 
fecal  matter,  tenesmus  and  loss  of  appetite,  with  increased  tempera- 
ture and  cold  extremities.  Visible  mucous  membranes  are  injected, 
pupils  of  the  eyes  contracted,  watery  discharge  from  the  eyes  and 
nostrils.  Remotely  it  exerts  a  depressing  influence  on  the  functions  of 
the  brain  and  slight  coma  and  occasionally  convulsions  from  which  the 
animal  is  easily  aroused.  The  kidneys  also  suffer.  The  urine  is  dark 
colored  and  has  the  characteristic  odor  of  coal  oil.  Death  may  result 
from  gastro-enteritis  or  convulsions.  The  patient's  strength  should  be 
fostered  by  the  frequent  administration  of  mild  stimulants,  of  which 
aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia  is  perhaps  the  best.  The  animal  should 
be  encouraged  to  eat  soft  food  and  given  mucilaginous  drinks. 

CARBOLIC-ACID  POISONING. 

Although  one  of  the  most  valuable  antiseptic  remedies,  carbolic  acid 
in  a  concentrated  form,  when  taken  internally  or  used  over  a  large  sur- 
face externally,  is  likely  to  produce  poisonous  effects.  It  causes  whiten- 
ing, shrinking,  and  numbness  of  the  structures  with  which  it  comes  in 
contact,  and  besides  its  irritant  eifect  exerts  a  powerful  influence  on  the 
nervous  system.  Being  readily  absorbed  it  produces  its  effect  whether 
swallowed,  injected  into  the  rectum,  inhaled,  or  applied  to  wounds  or 
even  to  a  large  tract  of  unbroken  skin.  Used  extensively  as  a  dressing 
it  may  produce  nausea,  dizziness,  and  black  or  green  colored  urine. 
The  last  symptom  is  nearly  always  noticeable  where  the  poisonous  effect 
is  produced.  -  In  more  concentrated  form,  or  used  in  larger  quantities, 
convulsions  followed  by  fatal  coma  are  likely  to  take  place.  Even  in 
smaller  quantities,  dullness,  trembling,  and  disinclination  for  food  often 
continues  for  several  days.  In  a  tolerably  concentrated  solution  it 


POISONS    AND    POISONING.  71 

coagulates  albumen  and  acts  as  an  astringent.  As  aa  antidote  inter- 
nally, linie-water  sweetened  with  sugar  should  be  given  in  large  quan- 
tities or  a  solution  of  sulphate  of  soda.  When  the  poisoning  occurs 
through  too  extensive  applications  to  wounds  or  the  skin,  as  in  treat- 
ment of  mange,  cold  water  should  be  freely  applied  so  as  to  wash  off 
any  of  the  acid  that  may  still  remain  unabsorbed.  As  a  surgical  dressing 
a  3  per  cent  solution  is  strong  enough  for  ordinary  purposes.  Water 
will  not  hold  more  than  5  per  cent  in  permanent  solution.  No  prepara- 
tion stronger  than  the  saturated  solution  should  be  used  medicinally 
under  any  circumstances. 

VEGETABLE  POISONS. 

These  may  be  divided  into  two  classes — those  that  are  likely  to  be 
administered  to  the  animal  as  medicine  or  such  as  may  be  taken  in  the 
food,  either  in  the  shape  of  poisonous  plants  or  plant  disease  affecting 
the  natural  herbage  of  the  pasture  or  meadow  from  -which  the  animal 
obtains  its  food  supply. 

OPIUM   POISONING. 

Opium  and  its  alkaloid,  morphia,  are  so  commonly  used  in  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine  that  the  poisonous  result  of  an  overdose  is  not  uncom- 
mon in  ordinary  practice.  The  common  preparations  are  gum  opium, 
the  inspissated  juice  of  the  poppy,  powdered  opium  made  from  the  gum, 
tincture  of  opium,  commonly  called  laudanum,  and  the  alkaloid  or  active 
principle,  morphia.  Laudanum  has  about  one-eighth  the  strength  ot 
the  gum  or  i>owder.  Morphia  is  present  in  good  opium  to  the  extent  ot 
;ii  unit  10  per  cent.  In  medicinal  quantities  it  is  a  most  useful  agent  in 
allaying  pain.  It  has  an  effect  common  to  all  narcotics  of  first  produc- 
ing a  stimulating  effect,  which  is  soon  followed  by  drowsiness,  a  dispo- 
sition to  sleep  or  complete  anresthesia,  depending  on  the  quantity  of 
the  drug  used.  In  poisonous  doses  a  state  of  exhilaration  is  apt  to  be 
well  marked  at  first.  A  second  stage  rapidly  supervenes,  in  which  the 
symptoms  are  those  of  congestion  of  the  brain.  It  has  the  effect  of  pre- 
venting perfect  aeration  of  the  blood.  The  visible  membranes  have  a 
bluish  tint  (cyanotic).  The  breathing  is  slow,  labored,  and  later  ster- 
torous; the  pupils  of  the  eyes  are  very  much  contracted;  the  skin  dry 
and  warm.  The  patient  may  be  aroused  by  great  noise  or  the  infliction 
of  sharp  pain,  when  the  breathing  Iwomes  more  natural.  A  relapse 
into  the  comatose  condition  soon  takes  plsicr  when  the  excitement  is 
removed.  Later,  there  is  perfect  coma  and  the  patient  can  no  longer 
bo  aroused  from  the  insensible  condition.  The  contraction  of  the  pupil 
becomes  more  marked,  the  breathing  intermittent  and  slower,  there  is 
perspiration,  the  pulse  more  feeble  and  rapid,  till  death  takes  place. 

Treatment. — The  stomach  should  be  emptied  by  moans  of  a  stomach 
pnmp,  if  possible,  ftnd  the  patient  kept  moving,  even  though  what  would 


72  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

otherwise  be  cruelty  is  necessarily  inflicted.  When  other  means  fail 
to  excite,  sharp  sounds  produced  close  to  the  ear  will  sometimes  serve 
to  arouse.  Stimulants  should  be  given  internally,  such  as  aromatic- 
spirits  of  ammonia,  whisky,  brandy,  and  strong  infusions  of  coffee. 

STRYCHNIXK   POISOXIXU. 

Nearly  all  the  alkaloids  of  the  genus  Strychnos  are  poisonous,  more 
particularly  strychnine.  Strychnine  is  a  very  concentrated  poison  and 
produces  its  effect  very  quickly,  usually  only  a  few  minutes  being  nec- 
essary. The  first  noticeable  symptom  is  a  well-marked  convulsion ;  the 
head  is  jerked  back,  the  back  arched  and  leg  extended,  the  eyes  drawn. 
The  spasm  continues  for  only  a  few  minutes,  when  it  relaxes  and 
returns  again  in  a  short  time.  .The  return  is  hastened  by  excitement 
and  in  a  short  time  again  disappears,  continuing  to  disappear  and 
reappear  until  death  results.  As  the  poisonous  effect  advances  the 
intervals  between  the  spasms  become  shorter  and  less  marked  and  the 
spasms  more  severe  until  the  animal  dies  in  violent  struggles. 

Treatment. — Emptying  the  stomach  is  good  treatment  if  it  can  be 
done  before  the  poison  is  absorbed.  After  the  spasms  have  been 
noticed,  however,  the  operation  would  likely  excite  the  animal  and 
hasten  the  fatal  termination.  The  best  method  is  to  put  the  patient 
under  the  influence  of  chloroform  or  ether  and  keep  it  there  continu- 
ously until  the  effect  of  the  poison  has  passed  off. 

ACOXITE   POISON  JX<;. 

In  recent  years  tincture  of  aconite  has  for  some  unknown  reason  be- 
come a  popular  stable  remedy.  In  the  hands  of  some  breeders  it  seems 
to  be  used  as  a  panacea  for  all  the  ills  flesh  is  heir  to.  If  an  animal  is 
ailing  aconite  is  given  whether  indicated  or  not.  Fortunately  the  dose 
used  is  generally  small,  and  for  this  reason  the  damage  done  much  less 
than  probably  otherwise  would  be.  Aconite  is  one  of  the  most  deadly 
poisons  known.  It  produces  paralysis  of  motion  and  sensation,  de- 
presses the  heart's  action  and  causes  death  by  syncope.  In  large  doses 
it  causes  profuse  salivation,  champing  of  the  jaws  and  attempts  at  swal- 
lowing. If  not  sufficient  to  cause  death  there  is  impaired  appetite  with 
more  or  less  nausea  for  some  time  after.  In  poisonous  doses  it  causes 
the  animal  to  tremble  violently,  lose  power  to  support  itself,  and  slight 
convulsions  with  perspiration.  The  pulse  is  depressed,  irregular,  and 
afterwards  intermittent.  If  possible,  the  stomach  should  be  emptied 
by  means  of  the  stomach  pump  and  the  animal  treated  with  finely  pow- 
dered animal  charcoal  in  the  hope  of  absorbing  the  poison.  The  only 
chemical  antidote  of  any  value  is  tannic  acid,  which  forms  an  insoluble 
compound  with  the  aconitine.  The  depressing  effect  on  the  heart 
should  be  counteracted  by  the  use  of  ammonia,  digitalis,  and  other  dif- 
fusible stimulants,  which  have  a  physiological  effect  opposite  to  aconite. 


POISONS    AND    POISONING.  73 

DIETETIC   POISONS. 

A  small  but  important  group  of  poisons  may  be  classed  under  this 
head.  The  poisonous  principle  is  a  plant  product  and  likely  to  find  its 
way  into  the  stomach  in  the  food  which  the  animal  consumes.  In  some 
cases  it  is  poison  naturally  belonging  to  the  plant;  in  other  cases  the 
poisonous  principle  is  developed  in  what  would  otherwise  be  harmless 
plants  as  a  plant  disease. 

LOCO   WKED   POISONING. 

The  loco  weed  (Astragalus  molUssimus)  found  in  the  natural  pastures 
of  some  of  our  Western  States  and  Territories  produces  a  remarkable 
poisonous  effect.  The  plant  grows  on  high,  gravelly  or  sandy  soil.  It 
lias  a  rather  attractive  appearance,  and  retains  its  soft,  pale  green 
color  all  winter.  A  mass  of  leaves  4  to  10  inches  high  grow  from  the 
very  short  stem.  The  leaves  are  pinnate,  similar  in  form  to  those  of  a 
locust  tree,  with  ten  pairs  of  leaflets  and  an  odd  terminal  one.  The 
flower  scape  grows  from  the  center  of  the  plant.  The  flowers,  shaped 
like  pea  blossoms,  appear  in  June  or  July,  are  yellow  tinted  with  violet. 
The  seeds  are  contained  in  a  pod  about  half  an  inch  long.  Fortunately 
a  stalk-boring  larva  has  attacked  the  plant  and  seems  to  be  doing  much 
toward  eradicating  it.  Horses  and  cattle  seem  to  acquire  a  taste  for 
it,  although  it  is  not  a  plant  that  would  be  considered  as  a  food  or  that 
would  be  eaten  with  a  relish  the  first  time.  In  the  early  spring,  when 
herbage  is  scarce,  its  green  appearance  may  attract  the  animal,  and 
the  habit  of  eating  it  be  thus  acquired.  Its  effect  is  not  noticeable  till 
a  considerable  quantity  has  been  eaten.  It  seems  to  exert  its  influ- 
ence on  the  nervous  system.  The  gait  is  slow  and  measured,  the  step 
high,  the  eyes  glassy  and  staring,  the  vision  defective.  Sudden  excite- 
ment will  frequently  produce  convulsions,  which,  if  the  disease  is  well 
advanced,  have  a  temporarily  prostrating  effect  upon  the  animal. 
Although  loco  poisoning  is  a  nervous  affection,  emaciation  is  one  of  the 
most  noticeable  symptoms.  The  taste  for  the  weed  becomes  stronger, 
the  victim  preferring  it  toother  food  until  nothing  else  is  eaten.  When 
it  is  taken  in  large  quantities  delirium  is  produced  and  the  animal 
becomes  vicious.  If  the  cause  be  removed  before  too  much  injury  is 
done,  recovery  is  likely  to  take  place.  Medicinal  treatment  seems  to 
be  of  little  avail.  Comfortable  stabling,  quiet,  and  a  liberal  supply  of 
wholesome  food  tend  to  counteract  the  poisonous  effect  of  the  plant  and 
build  up  the  depleted  forces. 

KRGOTI8M. 

[Plati 


The  poisonous  effects  of  ergot  have  so  far  apjK'ared  only  in  the  winter 
and  spring  of  the  year  and  among  cattle.  It  is  developed  a  monjj  grasses 
grown  on  rich  soil  in  hot,  damp  seasons.  Rye  seems  more  liable  to  ergot 
than  any  of  our  other  crops.  Of  the  grasses  which  enter  into  the  com- 


74  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

position  of  hay,  blue  grass  is  the  most  likely  to  become  affected.  Ou  the 
plant  the  fungus  manifests  itself  on  the  seeds,  where  it  is  easily  recog- 
nized when  the  hay  is  examined  in  the  mow.  The  ergotized  seeds  are 
several  times  larger  than  the  natural ;  hard,  black,  and  generally  curved 
in  shape.  The  effect  of  the  protracted  use  of  ergot  in  the  food  is  pretty 
well  understood  to  be  that  of  lowering  the  powers  of  circulation,  which, 
together  with  the  action  of  gravitation,  is  sufficient  to  completely  arrest 
it  in  dependent  parts  of  the  body,  such  as  are  remote  from  the  heart,  as 
the  tail  and  feet,  particularly  the  hind  feet.  Cattle  seem  to  be  more 
susceptible  than  other  animals  to  the  influence  of  ergot,  possibly  on 
account  of  the  slowness  of  the  heart's  action.  When  the  effect  of  the 
poison  has  become  sufficient  to  entirely  arrest  the  circulation  in  any 
part  the-structures  soon  die.  The  disorder  manifests  itself  as  lameness 
in  one  or  more  limbs;  swelling  about  the  ankle  which  may  result  in  only 
a  small  slough,  but  it  is  more  likely  to  circumscribe  the  limb  at  any 
point  below  the  knee  or  hock  by  an  indented  ring,  below  which  the  tis- 
sues become  dead.  The  indentation  soon  changes  to  a  crack,  which, 
like  it,  extends  completely  round  the  limb,  forming  the  line  of  separa- 
tion between  the  dead  and  living  structures.  The  crack  deepens  till  the 
parts  below  drop  off  without  loss  of  blood,  and  frequently  with  very 
little  pus.  This  condition  is  known  as  dry  gangrene,  and  is  the  poison- 
ous effect  of  ergot. 

Regarding  the  treatment,  change  of  food  and  local  antiseptics  are 
of  course  indicated.  The  former  may  be  useful  as  a  preventive,  but 
when  the  symptoms  have  appeared  the  animal  is  necessarily  so  com- 
pletely saturated  that  recovery  is  likely  to  be  tedious.  It  has  been 
observed  by  some  writers  that  the  feeding  of  corn  with  ergotized  food 
neutralizes  the  poisonous  effect. 

LOCAL   POISONING. 

Local  poison  may  occur  from  the  bites  or  stings  of  insects  or  from 
contact  with  poisonous  plants  in  exposed  parts  of  the  body,  such  as 
poison  ivy  (Rhus  toxicodendron],  when  brought  in  contact  with  the 
udder  or  teats,  or  from  the  external  accidental  application  of  caustic 
acid  or  alkaline  solutions.  In  the  case  of  the  caustic  its  effect  should 
be  neutralized  by  the  application  of  the  proper  antidote  and  the  result- 
ing wound  treated  as  a  burn  or  frost-bite.  The  stings  of  bees  or  wasps, 
and  the  bites  of  other  poisonous  insects,  should  be  treated  by  the 
application  of  turpentine  gently  applied. 

SNAKE   BITfcS. 

The  poison  contained  in  the  fangs  of  certain  venomous"  reptiles, 
particularly  some  of  the  snakes,  which  is  injected  into  or  under  the 
skin  of  an  animal  bitten  by  the  reptile  is  a  very  powerful  agent.  It 
is  likely  to  produce  a  serious  local  irritation,  and  in  the  case  of  the 
more  poisonous  snakes  serious  constitutional  disturbances,  even  to 


POISONS   AND   POISONING.  75 

causing  death,  which  it  may  do  in  either  of  two  .rays.  First,  when 
very  strong,  by  exerting  a  narcotic  influence  similar  to  that  of  some  of 
the  powerful  poisons,  destroying  nervous  function,  with  the  symptoms 
of  extreme  depression,  feeble,  flickering  or  intermittent  pulse,  cold  ex- 
tremities, dilated  pupils,  insensibility,  collapse,  and  death.  Second, 
when  less  powerful,  by  diffused  inflammation  of  the  arcolar  tissue, 
numerous  abscesses,  gangrene,  and  extensive  sloughing.  Immediately 
after  the  bite  alarming  symptoms  of  an  astheuic  character  and  local 
swelling  rapidly  takes  place  ;  there  is  irritation  from  the  first.  The  extent 
of  the  swelling  and  subsequent  gangrene  will  depend  on  the  potency 
or  amount  of  the  poison  introduced.  Unless  in  very  large  quantities, 
death  ensues  so  rapidly  that  the  swelling  process  is  not  completed. 
There  are  many  snakes  of  which  the  bites  are  harmless.  Post-mortem 
examination  reveals  a  dark  alkaline  condition  of  the  blood,  intense 
congestion,  of  the  lungs  and  spleen,  and  other  conditions  indicative 
of  death  of  the  blood  (necrccmia).  The  viscera  emit  a  peculiar  sickly 
odor. 

The  treatment  may  be  divided  into  local  and  general.  Locally  every 
effort  should  be  made  to  prevent  absorption  of  the  poison.  If  discov- 
ered at  once  the  bitten  part  had  better  be  excised.  If  that  is  imprac- 
ticable and  a  ligature  can  be  applied  as  in  the  case  of  a  bite  to  one  of 
the  limbs,  no  time  should  be  lost  in  applying  it  above  the  injury.  It 
should  be  made  sufficiently  tight  to  as  far  as  possible  arrest  circulation" 
in  the  bitten  part.  The  poison  should  be  extracted  by  cupping.  If 
tliis  is  not  practicable,  or  when  it  has  been  performed,  the  wound 
should  be  seared  with  a  red-hot  iron  to  destroy  as  far  as  possible  any 
of  the  poison  that  may  remain  unabsorbed.  The  depressing  effect  of 
the  poison  on  the  general  system  should  be  counteracted  by  liberal 
drenching  with  stimulants,  wine,  brandy,  whisky,  etc.  In  the  human 
being  preparations  of  arsenic,  bromine,  bichloride  of  mercury,  and 
iodido  of  potassium  in  frequently-repeated  doses  are  indicated.  In 
animal  practice  the  alcoholic  stimulants  and  local  treatment  above 
described  arc  likely  to  meet  with  best  success.  In  the  emergency  which 
arises  when  such  an  accident  occurs  the  means  at  hand  must  be  used  to 
the  best  advantage.  First  the  application  of  a  tight  ligature  can  nearly 
always  be  made;  then  opening  the  wound  up  to  its  bottom  with  a  pen- 
knife and  encouraging  free  flow  of  blood  will  be  likely  to  wash  out  at 
least  part  of  the  poison,  if  done  promptly.  Capping  can  not  be  practiced 
among  cattle  with  the  same  facility  as  it  can  in  the  human  being,  owing 
to  the  covering  of  hair.  This  obstacle  may  be  overcome  by  smearing 
the  hair  full  of  tar  or  balsam  on  the  surface  to  which  the  cupping  glass 
is  to  be  applied.  The  operation  may  be  easily  performed,  using  a  jar  or 
bottle  with  a  good-sixed  neck,  but  not  so  large  as  to  prevent  its  having  a 
firm  seat  on  the  skin  around  the  wound.  A  piece  of  cloth  dipped  in  oil 
ami  lighted  is  dropped  into  the  bottle,  the  neck  of  which  is  quickly 
applied  t<»  the  wound.  The  llame  of  the  liurning  cloth  consumes  the 


76  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

oxygeii  of  the  air  and  creates  a  partial  vacuum  into  which  the  blood 
from  the  wound  should  flow  freely.  The  injection  hypodermically  of  a 
20  per  cent  solution  of  permanganate  of  potash  directly  into  the  wounded 
tissues  aids  in  neutralizing  the  effect  of  the  concentrated  poison  in  the 
immediate  vicinity. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HEART  AND  BLOOD-VESSELS. 


By  W.  H.  HARBAUGH,  V.  S.,  Richmond,  Va. 


Iii  order  to  comprehend  what  is  meant  by  disease,  it  is  essential  that 
one  should  understand  the  structure  and  arrangement  of  the  organs 
subject  to  disease,  as  well  as  know  something  of  the  phenomena  or 
functions  of  the  organs  in  a  state  of  health,  because  it  must  be  remem- 
bered that  disease  is  but  a  perversion  of  health.  The  blood  and  circu- 
latory apparatus  are  not  only  of  the  greatest  importance  in  the  diseases 
under  this  particular  head,  but  they  are  more  or  less  concerned  whenever 
disease  exists.  To  convey  an  idea  of  their  importance  it  may  be  stated 
that  all  vitality  and  all  nutrition  depend  on  the  blood.  In  view  of 
these  facts  it  must  be  admitted  that  nothing  less  than  a  liberal  descrip- 
tion of  these  organs  and  their  functions  will  suffice  in  a  work  of  this 
kind  (the  principal  object  of  which  is  instruction),  and  therefore  we 
will  at  once  proceed  to  an  anatomical  and  physiological  consideration 
of  them. 

The  heart,  blood-vessels,  and  lymphatics  are  usually  described  as 
the  circulatory  apparatus. 

The  heart  is  located  in  the  thoracic  cavity  (chest).  It  is  conical  in 
form,  with  the  base  or  large  part  uppermost,  while  the  apex  or  point 
rests  just  above  the  sternum  (breastbone).  It  is  suspended  from  the 
vertebral  column  (backbone)  by  the  large  blood-vessels  which  enter 
and  leave  the  heart.  It  is  situated  between  the  right  and  left  lung, 
the  apex  inclining  to  the  left,  and  owing  to  this  circumstance  the 
heartbeats  are  best  felt  on  the  left  side  of  the  chest  behind  the  elbow. 
The  heart  is  composed  principally  of  muscular  tissue.  It  may  be  con- 
sidered as  a  hollow  muscle,  containing  four  compartments,  two  on  each 
side.  The  compartments  of  each  side  are  placed  one  above  the  other. 
For  convenience,  the  compartments  are  called"  right  and  left,  but  in 
reality  those  called  right  arc  almost  in  front  of  those  called  the  lot'T. 
The  upper  compartments  are  called  auricles  and  the  lower  ones  are  ealled 
ventricles.  The  right  auricle  and  ventricle  are  completely  separated 
from  the  left  auricle  and  ventricle  by  a  thiek  septum  or  wall,  so  that 
there  is  no  communication  between  the  right  and  left  sides  of  the  heart. 
Externally  the  heart  appears  to  be  single,  but  it  is  really  a  double  organ. 

77 


78    '  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

The  communication  between  the  auricle  and  ventricle  of  either  side  is 
called  the  auriculo-ventricular  opening,  and  both  orifices  are  regulated 
by  valves.  The  compartments  of  the  heart  are  manifest  on  its  outer 
surface  by  grooves  or  furrows.  There  is  a  transverse  groove  which 
marks  the  division  between  the  auricular  and  ventricular  parts.  This 
groove  also  marks  the  location  of  the  auriculo-ventricular  openings  on 
the  inside.  The  upper  portion  of  the  heart  is  constricted  in  the  middle 
of  its  superior  face;  the  section  on  either  side  of  the  constriction  repre- 
sents one  of  the  auricles.  Into  the  right  section  are  inserted  the  pos- 
terior vena  cava,  the  anterior  vena  cava,  the  vena  azygos,  and  coronary 
vein.  Into  the  left  section  are  inserted  the  pulmonary  veins,  usually 
four  in  number.  The  ventricular  portion  includes  all  that  is  below  the 
transverse  groove;  it  is  much  the  greater  portion  of  the  organ  and  gives 
to  it  the  shape  of  a  cone  or  pyramid.  On  either  face  is  seen  a  groove 
which  marks  the  division  between  the  right  and  left  ventricle.  In 
cattle  an  accessory  groove  runs  down  behind  the  left  ventricle.  All 
the  grooves  are  occupied  by  blood-vessels  and  fatty  tissue.  The  com- 
mon aorta  and  the  pulmonary  artery  leave  the  upper  portion  of  the 
ventricular  mass  on  the  left  of  the  anterior  part. 

The  cavities  of  the  heart  are  designated  as  the  right  and  left,  and 
there  is  no  communication  between  the  right  and  left  cavities  after  the 
birth  of  the  young  animal.  During  the  life  of  the  fetus  in  the  womb 
there  is  an  opening  in  the  wall  between  the  right  and  left  auricles 
called  the  foramen  ovale,  but  at  birth  this  is  closed,  and  there  remains 
only  a  depression  in  the  wall  to  mark  the  place  where  it  existed.  It 
occasionally  happens  that  the  foramen  ovale  remains  open  after  birth, 
and  this  exception  will  be  referred  to  hereafter  under  the  head  of 
Cyanosis.  In  the  cavities  are  to  be  seen  the  orifices  of  the  vessels 
(through  which  the  blood  enters  and  leaves  the  heart),  the  names  of 
which  have  been  given. 

At  the  bottom  of  each  auricle  is  the  auriculo-ventricular  opening; 
each  opening  is  provided  with  a  valve  to  close  it  when  the  heart  con- 
tracts to  force  the  blood  into  the  arteries.  In  the  interval  between  the 
contractions  these  valves  hang  down  into  the  ventricles.  Little  ten- 
dinous cords  stretching  from  the  free  edges  of  the  valves  to  the  walls 
of  the  ventricles  prevent  the  blood  from  forcing  the  valves  too  far  up 
into  the  auricles  during  contraction  of  the  heart,  which  prevents  the 
return  of  blood  into  the  auricles. 

The  opening  of  the  common  aorta  and  pulmonary  artery  and  the 
ivuriculo- ventricular  openings  are  surrounded  bj'  rings  of  fibrous  tissue 
which  form  the  frame  on  which  the  muscular  tissue  of  the  heart  rests. 
In  cattle  there  are  found  two  small  bones  in  the  fibrous  tissue  of  the 
ring  of  the  common  aorta.  The  fibrous  tissue  completely  surrounds 
the  openings  of  the  aorta  and  pulmonary  artery,  but  the  rings  around 
the  auriculo- ventricular  openings  are  incomplete. 

The  muscular  tissue  of  the  heart  belongs  to  that  class  known  as  in- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HEART    AND    BLOOD    VESSELS.  79 

voluntary,  because  its  action — contraction — is  not  controlled  by  the 
will;  but  it  is  well  to  remark  that  it  is  a  variety  of  striated  or  striped 
muscle,  and  striped  muscle,  with  but  few  exceptions,  of  which  this  is 
one,  belongs  to  the  class  known  as  voluntary  muscle. 

The  nutrition  of  the  heart  is  derived  from  the  blood  distributed  to  its 
muscular  tissue  by  the  coronary  arteries  (and  their  branches),  which 
arc  the  only  vessels  given  off  by  the  common  aorta  before  it  divides 
into  the  posterior  and  anterior  aortas.  The  branches  of  the  coronary 
arteries  are  the  vessels  which  occupy  the  furrows  on  the  external  sur- 
face of  the  heart.  The  venous  blood  from  the  structure  of  the  heart  is 
emptied  into  the  right  auricle  by  the  coronary  vein.  The  lymphatics 
of  the  heart  accompany  the  course  of  the  coronary  arteries  and  empty 
into  the  lymphatic  glands  near  the  base  of  the  heart.  The  nervous 
supply  of  the  heart  is  from  the  cardiac  plexus,  which  is  derived  from 
the  pneumogastric  and  sympathetic  nerves. 

The  cavities  of  the  heart  are  lined  by  a  kind  of  serous  membrane 
called  the  endocardium.  It  is  very  thin  and  closely  adherent  and  forms 
the  internal  surface.  The  endocardium  may  be  considered  as  continued 
into  the  veins  and  the  arteries,  forming  their  internal  lining.  In  the 
cavities  of  the  right  side  the  endocardium  has  a  reddish  tint,  which  is 
deeper  in  the  ventricle;  in  the  cavities  of  the  left  side  the  tint  is  yel- 
lowish. The  walls  of  the  ventricles  are  thicker  than  those  of  the  auri- 
cles, and  the  walls  of  the  left  ventricle  are  much  thicker  than  those  of 
the  right. 

The  heart  is  enveloped  by  a  fibrous  sac  (or  bag)  called  the  pericar- 
dium, wliich  assumes  much  of  the  general  shape  of  the  outer  surface  of 
the  heart.  The  internal  surface  of  the  pericardium  is  smooth  and 
glistening  like  the  external  surface  of  the  heart  itself.  These  smooth 
surfaces  are  opposed  one  to  the  other,  and  are  in  fact  the  serous  mem- 
brane of  the  pericardium;  they  are  kept  moist  by  the  serum  which 
exudes  from  their  surface  to  prevent  the  serious  consequence  of  friction 
to  the  surface  of  the  heart.  In  health  no  appreciable  quantity  of  fluid 
collects  in  the  sac,  but  in  some  cases  of  disease,  and  in  instances  of  old 
•ft,  serum  accumulates  within  the  pericardium  to  a  greater  or  !:•-;>• 
extent. 

The  heart  is  the  principal  organ  of  the  circulatory  apparatus,  and  its 
function  is  to  assure  the  movement  of  the  blood  by  the  regular  contrac- 
tion of  its  walls  which  force  the  blood  into  the  vessels  called  arteries. 
The  auricles  may  IMJ  considered  as  the  reservoirs  or  receivers  of  the 
blood,  and  the  v.-nn  !<•!.•>  as  the  puuips,  therefore  the  function  of  the 
heart,  resembles  the  action  of  a  force  pump.  During  the  interval  be- 
tween contractions,  the  heart  being  in  momentary  repose,  the  blood 
pours  into  the  auricles  from  the  veins;  the  auriculo- ventricular  orifices 
being  widely  open,  the  ventricles  also  receive  blood;  the  aurirles  con- 
tract and  the  ventricles  are  filled;  contraction  of  the  ventricles  follows; 
the  auriculo- vi'iitr.'cular  valves  arc  forced  up  by  the  pressure  of  the 


80  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

blood  and  close  the  uuriculo-ventricular  openings,  and  prevent  the  re- 
turn of  blood  into  the  auricles;  the  contraction  of  the  ventricles  forces 
the  blood  from  the  right  ventricle  into  the  lungs  through  the  pulmonary 
artery  and  its  branches,  and  from  the  left  ventricle  into  the  aorta  and 
all  parts  of  the  body  through  the  arteries.  After  the  contraction  of  the 
ventricles  the  heart  is  again  in  momentary  repose  and  being  filled  with 
blood,  while  the  valves  in  the  aorta  and  pulmonary  artery  close  to  pre- 
vent the  return  of  blood  into  the  ventricles.  (See  Plate  vu.) 

The  heart  is  the  most  irritable  muscle  in  the  body;  it  has  no  rest 
from  the  time  the  first  few  cells  are  formed  that  go  to  make  up  the 
organ  until  its  action  is  stopped  by  death,  except  during  the  repose  or 
momentary  pause  between  the  beats. 

The  average  weight  of  the  heart  of  an  ox  is  said  to  be  from  3£  to  4£ 
pounds,  but,  of  course,  the  weight  must  be  very  variable  in  different 
animals  owing  to  the  many  breeds  and  sizes  of  cattle. 

The  vessels  that  convey  the  blood  from  the  heart  to  all  parts  of  the 
body  are  called  arteries;  the  vessels  which  return  the  blood  to  the 
heart  are  called  veins.  Between  the  ultimate  ramifications  of  the  ar- 
teries and  the  beginning  of  the  veins  there  is  an  intermediate  system 
of  very  minute  vessels  called  capillaries,  which  connect  the  arterial 
with  the  venous  system  of  the  circulation. 

ARTERIES. 

The  walls  of  the  arteries  are  possessed  of  a  certain  amount  of  rigid- 
ity sufficient  to  keep  the  tubes  open  when  they  are  empty;  this  fact 
led  the  ancients  to  believe  that  they  contained  air  and  hence  their 
name — arteries.  The  walls  of  the  arteries  are  composed  of  three  coats 
or  tunics.  The  internal  coat  may  be  considered  a  prolongation  of  the 
endocardium  from  the  left  ventricle.  The  middle  coat  is  composed  of 
yellow  elastic  tissue  and  muscular  tissue;  the  amount  of  each  tissue 
varies  according  to  the  size  of  the  vessel.  The  muscular  tissue  being 
contractile  is  required  in  some  parts  more  than  in  others.  In  the  aorta 
and  large  arteries  near  the  heart  the  elastic  tissue  predominates;  in  the 
vessels  of  intermediate  size  the  elastic  and  muscular  tissues  average 
about  equal  proportions,  while  in  the  smallest  arteries  the  muscular 
tissue  predominates  and  even  comprises  the  entire  middle  coat.  The 
external  coat  is  composed  of  a  layer  of  thin  but  remarkably  strong 
fibrous  tissue  and  a  small  proportion  of  elastic  tissue. 

A  ligature  may  be  tied  sufficiently  tight  around  an  artery  to  com- 
pletely rupture  the  middle  and  internal  coats  without  severing  the  ex- 
ternal coat;  and  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  union  is  not  complete  between 
the  middle  and  external  coats,  the  ruptured  coats  retract  within  the 
external  one,  assisting  to  a  great  extent  in  surgery.  The  blood  leaves 
the  left  ventricle  through  a  single  vessel,  the  common  aorta,  which 
divides  into  the  anterior  and  posterior  aortas,  which  in  turn  give  ofl' 
the  large  arteries. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HEART    AND    BLOOD-VESSELS.  81 

The  arteries  divide  and  subdivide  (like  the  branches  of  a  tree)  be- 
come smaller  and  smaller,  and  ultimately  ramify  into  every  part  of  the 
body,  terminating  in  a  network  of  very  small  tubes  called  capillaries, 
which  can  only  be  recognized  by  the  aid  of  a  microscope.  The  walls 
of  the  capillaries  differ  considerably  from  the  walls  of  the  arteries  and 
veins,  and  they  also  vary  according  to  the  size  of  the  capillary  tubes; 
they  are  so  thin  and  peculiar  that  white  corpuscles  and  the  fluid  part 
of  the  blood  readily  pass  through  them  into  adjacent  tissue.  The  capil- 
laries terminate  in  veins. 

The  veins  take  the  blood  from  the  capillaries  in  all  parts  of  the  body. 
They  begin  in  very  small  tubes  which  unite  to  become  larger  in  size 
and  less  in  number  as  they  approach  the  heart.  The  veins,  like  the 
arteries,  have  three  coats,  but  are'  thinner,  less  muscular,  and  less 
elastic  than  the  arteries,  and  collapse  when  empty. 

In  its  course  an  artery  is  iisually  accompanied  by  a  vein,  and  in  many 
in  stances  by  two  veins;  in  the  latter  case  it  is  placed  between  them, 
and  if  but  one  vein  accompanies  it,  the  artery  is  always  the  deeper  and 
least  exposed  of  the  two  vessels.  Nerves  also  generally  accompany 
the  arteries.  Muscles  in  many  locations  serve  to  point  out  the  situation 
of  arteries,  as  they  often  are  in  contact  with  them  in  their  course;  cer- 
tain arteries  are  in  contact  witli  bones;  and  in  certain  situations  they 
lie  in  the  connective  tissue  between  the  skin  and  bone,  which  is  the 
case  with  some  of  these  vessels  about  the  head  and  legs ;  such  arteries 
are  best  for  ascertaining  the  state  of  the  pulse.  Arteries  deeply  seated 
in  certain  places  are  in  contact  with  bones,  and  the  knowledge  of  their 
location  enables  the  surgeon  to  compress  them  against  the  bone  for  the 
purpose  of  arresting  the  flow  of  blood  in  a  particular  vessel  in  case  of 
hemorrhage  or  during  operations.  The  more  important  arteries  are 
placed  deep  within  the  body;  but  in  those  cases  where  they  are  super- 
i;ci;il,  tlu-y  are  generally  found  where  least  exposed  to  injury,  as  for 
example,  on  the  inner  side  of  the  legs.  Arteries  are  less  numerous 
than  veins,  and  the  total  capacity  of  the  arteries  is  much  less  than  that 
iie  veins.  A  great  number  of  veins  are  in  the  tissue  immediately 
beneath  the  skin,  and  these  are  not  generally  accompanied  by  arteries. 
All  the  superficial  veins,  and  many  of  the  others,  have  valves  within 
t  hem  to  prevent  the  reflux  of  blood;  the  faces  of  the  valves  are  towards 
the  heart,  and  when  anything  interferes  to  retard  the  flow  of  blood  to 
tin-  heart,  the  valves  are  closed  by  the  backing  of  the  blood,  and  effect- 
ually prevent  its  return.  By  the  same  means  these  valves  favor  the 
llo\\-  of  blood  to  the  heart,  because  of  the  pressure  assured  by  the  con- 
lion  of  muscles  adjacent  to  the  veins.  There  are  no  valves  in  th; 
vein*,  of  the  lungH. 

The.  blood  throughout  its  course,  in  the  heart,  arteries,  capillaries,  and 
veins,  is  inclosed  within  these  vessels.  There  is  no  opening  into  the 
course  of  the  blood,  except  where  the  large-  lymphatics  empty  into  the 
v<  nous  blood. 


82  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE, 

The  circulation  is.  considered  as  two  systems:  The  pulmonary,  the 
lesser,  is  that  from  the  right  heart  to  the  lungs,  and  back  to  the  left 
In-art.  The  systemic,  or  greater,  is  from  the  left  heart  to  all  parts  of 
the  body,  and  back  to  the  right  heart.  To  simplify  the  subject  it  niay 
be  fiaid  at  once  that  the  blood  of  the  body  is  of  two  colors — 
bright  red,  or  pure  blood,  and  dark  red,  or  impure  blood.  All  the; 
arteries,  except  the  pulmonary  artery  and  its  branches,  carry  bright 
red ;  and  all  the  veins,  except  the  pulmonary  veins,  carry  dark-red  blood. 
The  impure  dark-red  blood  is  collected  from  the  capillary  vessels  and 
carried  to  the  right  auricle  by  the  veins  5  it  pusses  through  the  auriculo- 
ventricular  openings  into  the  right  ventricle  and  thence  into  the  pul- 
monary artery,  and  through  its  branches  to  the  capillaries  of  the  lungs, 
where  the  carbonic  acid  gas  and  other  impurities  are  given  up  to  the 
air  in  the  air-cells  of  the  luogs  (through  the  thin  walls  between  the 
capillaries  and  air-cells),  and  where  it  also  absorbs  from  the  air  the 
oxygen  gas  necessary  to  sustain  life,  which  changes  it  to  the  bright  red, 
pure  blood.  It  passes  from  the  capillaries  to  the  branches  of  the  pul- 
monary veins,  which  convey  it  to  the  left  auricle  of  the  heart;  it  then 
passes  through  the  auriculo- ventricular  opening  into  the  left  ventricle, 
the  contraction  of  which  forces  it  through  the  common  aorta  into  the 
posteiior  and  anterior  aortas,  and  through  all  the  arteries  of  the  body 
into  the  capillaries,  where  it  parts  with  its  oxygen  and  nutritive  ele- 
ments, and  where  it  absorbs  carbonic  acid  gas  and  certain  other  impuri- 
ties and  becomes  dark  colored.  (See  theoretical  diagram  of  the  circu- 
lation, Plate  vn.) 

The  muscular  tissue  in  the  walls  of  the  arteries,  under  the  stimulus 
of  the  vaso-niotor  nerves,  regulates  the  caliber  of  the  vessels  and  the 
amount  of  blood  supplied  to  the  different  parts,  and,  on  account  of  its 
contractibiUty,  it  assists  in  controlling  a  hemorrhage  when  an  artery  is 
cut  completely  across,  by  causing  the  retraction  of  the  severed  ends  of 
the  vessel. 

The  flow  of  blood  through  the  capillaries  is  very  slow,  not  much  more 
than  an  inch  a  minute.  The  power  which  forces  it  through  them  is  the 
heart;  and  many  physiologists  maintain  that  the  changes  in  the  blood 
which  take  place  in  the  capillaries  favor  and  compel  the  blood  to  flow 
through  them,  and  as  a  proof  they  refer  to  the  fact  that  arteries  are 
found  empty  after  death,  because  the  capillaries  have  sent  the  blood 
into  the  veins.  On  this  theory,  capillary  circulation  may  be  compared 
to  oil  rising  in  the  wick  of  a  lamp  to  burn  as  the  demand  requires. 

The  blood  is  caused  to  flow  through  the  veins  to  the  heart  by  several 
different  forces.  The  contraction  of  muscles  in  proximity  to  veins 
causes  a  pressure  on  them  which  assures  -an  onward  movement  to  the 
heart,  since  the  valves  in  the  veins  prevent  its  backward  movement. 
At  each  inspiration  (or  taking  in  a  breath,  there  is  a  suction-like  action 
of  the  chest,  which  induces  the  flow  to  the  right  auricle.  The  heart 
probably  exerts  P,  force  from  behind  which  assists  the  flow  in  the  veins. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HEART    AND    BLOOD-VESSELS.  83 

ANASTOMOSES. 

The  branches  of  certain  arteries  in  different  parts  unite  again  after 
subdividing.  This  reuniting  is  called  anastomosing,  and  assures  a 
quota  of  blood  to  the  part  if  one  of  the  anastomosing  arteries  should  be 
tied  in  case  of  hemorrhage,  or  should  be  destroyed  by  accident  or  oper- 
ation. In  such  cases  the  blood  is  supplied  by  the  collateral  vessels  of 
the  anastomoses,  which  gradually  enlarge,  because  the  increased  quan- 
tity of  blood  they  are  forced  to  carry  distends  their  walls,  and  even- 
tually the  part  receives  all  the  blood  it  requires.  Were  it  not  for  these 
anastomoses,  certain  parts  would  be  deprived  of  blood  in  certain  cases 
of  accident  and  disease,  and  mortification  would  ensue. 

Anastomoses  are  effected  when  two  branches,  after  traversing  a  cer- 
tain length,  reunite  to  form  a  vessel  larger  than  either  of  the  branches; 
others  are  formed  by  transverse  communications  through  smaller  arter- 
ies between  two  larger  ones  running  in  the  same  direction;  and  they 
may  be  formed  by  a  combination  of  both  the  foregoing  methods.  Veins 
also  form  anastomoses,  and  they  are  even  more  numerous  than  those 

of  the  arteries. 

• 

BLOOD. 

The  various  kinds  of  food,  after  being  digested  in  the  alimentary 
ranal,  arc  absorbed  and  carried  into  the  blood  by  the  lymphatics,  and 
by  tin1  blood  to  the  places  where  nutrition  is  required.  The  blood 
takes  fn»m  all  parts  of  the  body  all  that  is  useless  and  no  longer 
required,  ami  carries  it  to  the  different  organs  where  it  is  eliminated 
from  the  body.  It  contains  within  itself  all  the  elements  which  nour- 
ish the  body. 

The  blood  may  be  considered  a  fluid  holding  in  solution  certain  inor- 
ganic elements  and  having  certain  bodies  suspended  in  it.  Authorities 
differ  as  to  the  exact  amount  of  each  constituent  of  the  blood,  but  the 
following  is  a  fair  estimate:  In  1,000  parts  there  are:  water,  790  parts; 
corpuscles,  120  parts;  albumen,  GO  parts;  salts  and  extractive  matters, 
iiii  hiding  the  elements  of  fibrin,  30  parts.  To  facilitate  description, 
the  bl<xxl  may  be  considered  as  being  made  up  of  the  corpuscles  and 
tho  liquor  sanguinis.  The  corpuscles  are  of  two  kinds,  the  red  and  the 
white,  the  red  being  the  most  numerous.  The  color  of  the  blood  is  duo 
to  the  coloring  matter  in  the  red  corpuscles.  The  red  corpuscles  are 
the  oxygen  carriers.  Roth  kinds  are  very  minute  bodies,  which  re- 
quire the  aid  of  the  microscope  to  recognize  them.  The  liquor  san 
guinis  is  composed  principally  of  water,  salts,  albumen,  and  the 
elements  of  fibrin.  The  most  abundant  salts  are  the  chloride  and  the 
carbonate  of  soda,  with  a  less  quantity  of  the  phosphate  and  sulphate 
of  potassium  and  lime.  The  albumen  very  much  resembles  the  white 
of  an  egg  in  its  composition.  Fatty  matters  exist  in  the  liquor  san- 
guiuis  iu  extremely  small  particles,  and  also  in  combination  with  soda. 


84  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

The  extractives  are  different  elements  in  such  small  proportions  as  to 
require  special  means  to  extract  them.  Fibrin  does  not  exist  in  the 
living  blood  as  fibrin,  but  the  elements  are  there,  ready  to  form  fibrin 
under  certain  circumstances.  The  internal  lining  of  the  blood-vessels 
appears  to  prevent  the  formation  of  fibrin,  but  when  the  blood  conies 
in  contact  with  anything  foreign  to  it,  fibrin  is  quickly  formed,  and 
coagulation  (or  the  clot  of  blood)  is  the  result,  unless  certain  means 
are  used  to  prevent  it.  Fibrin  is  a  very  important  factor  in  surgery. 
When  a  wound  is  made  and  blood  escapes,  fibrin  is  formed,  which 
'•auses  the  blood  to  coagulate  or  clot,  and  which  materially  assists  in 
arresting  hemorrhages.  Carbonic  acid  gas  is  carried  by  the  liquor  san- 
guinis,  both  in  solution  and  combined  with  the  soda. 

The  blood  is  alkaline,  due  to  the  salts  it  contains.  Its  specific  gravity 
varies  from  1.050  to  1.057.  The  weight  of  blood  in  cattle  is  estimated 
by  a  good  authority  to  be  1  pound  to  every  23  pounds  of  the  weight 
of  the  body. 

The  lymphatics,  or  absorbents,  are  the  vessels  which  carry  the  lymph 
and  chyle  into  the  blood.  Like  the  veins,  they  have  three  coats  or 
tunics,  but  much  thinner.  They  begin  as  capillaries  in  all  parts  of  the 
body,  and  they  have  valves.  Placed  along  the  course  of  the  lymphatic 
vessels  are  glands,  and  in  some  situations  these  glands  are  collected 
into  groups;  for  example,  in  the  groin,  etc.  These  glands  are  often 
involved  in  inflammation  arising  from  the  absorption  of  deleterious 
matter.  For  instance,  a  sore  may  be  on  a  finger,  and  the  lymphatic 
capillaries  there  may  absorb  a  poisonous  or  irritable  matter,  which  is 
carried  by  the  lymphatic  vessels  to  the  collection  of  lymphatic  glands 
in  the  armpit,  and  inflammation  of  the  glands  results  and  gives  rise  to 
the  familiar  waxing  kernel. 

Absorption  is  the  function  of  the  lymphatics.  The  liquor  sanguinis 
passes  from  the  blood  capillaries  to  supply  nutrition  to  the  tissues.  All 
excess  of  the  liquor  sanguiuis  that  is  not  required  is  absorbed  by  the 
lymphatic  capillaries  and  conveyed  back  to  the  blood  by  the  lymphatic 
vessels.  The  lymphatics  which  proceed  from  the  intestines  convey  the 
chyle  into  the  blood  during  digestion.  Tfce  lymph  (fluid  carried  by 
these  vessels)  is  composed  of  white  corpuscles,  albumen,  salts,  water, 
extractives,  and  the  elements  of  fibrin.  In  fact,  it  is  blood  without  the 
red  corpuscles.  Chyle  consists  of  the  same  constituents  as  lymph,  with 
the  addition  of  fatty  matters.  As  a  rule,  the  lymphatic  vessels  follow 
the  course  of  the  veins.  All  of  the  absorbent  vessels  convey  their  con- 
tents to  the  thoracic  duct  and  right  great  lymphatic  vein,  which  empty 
into  the  anterior  vena  cava,  where  the  lymph  and  chyle  mix  with  the 
venous  blood,  and  thus  maintain  the  supply  of  nutritive  elements  in 

the  blood. 

• 

PULSE. 

As  fully  explained,  the  heart  pumps  the  blood  throughout  the  arte- 
rial system.  The  arteries  are  always  full  and  overfull,  and  each  con- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HEART    AND    BLOOD-VESSELS.  85 

traction  of  the  ventricle  pumps  more  blood  into  them,  which  distends 
their  elastic  walls  and  sends  a  wave  along  them  which  gradually  be- 
comes less  perceptible  as  it  nears  the  very  small  arteries,  and  is  lost 
before  the  capillaries  are  reached.  This  wave  constitutes  the  pulse. 
The  sensation  or  impression  given  to  the  finger  when  placed  upon  the 
artery  shows  the  force  exerted  by  the  heart  and  the  condition  of  the 
circulation.  It  must  be  remarked  that  it  is  only  in  the  arteries  that 
there  is  a  pulse  wave.  What  is  called  the  "jugular  pulse"  will  be  no- 
ticed hereafter.  The  pulse  varies  much  as  to  frequency  ;  anger,  fear, 
and  exercise  increase  the  number  of  pulsations.  It  is  faster  fn  hot 
weather  than  in  cold  ;  in  the  young  and  old  it  is  faster  than  in  middle 
age ;  it  is  slower  in  the  male  than  female.  Fevers  and  inflammation  in- 
crease the  frequency.  In  cattle  the  average  number  of  pulsations  in  a 
minute  (in  adults)  is  from  40  to  50.  But  in  cows  the  pulse  is  subject  to 
variations  from  difteren treatises.  In  this  regard  Prof.  Williams  says: 

Indeed,  the  pulse  of  the  cow  iu  a  state  of  confinement,  in  so  far  as  regards  the  num- 
ber of  beats,  cannot  be  depended  upon  in  the  diagnosis  of  disease;  the  states  of  preg- 
nancy and  obesity,  the  effects  of  artificial  food  and  of  the  activity  of  the  lactiferous 
glands,  as  well  as  the  excitement  caused  by  the  act  of  rumination,  generally  produce 
such  an  impression  upon  the  nervous  system  as  to  cause  the  action  of  the  heart  to  be 
much  increased,  such  increase  being  entirely  consistent  with  a  state  of  perfect  health 
in  an  animal  so  circumstanced. 

However,  the  frequency  of  the  pulse  is  by  no  means  all  the  informa- 
tion gained  by  feeling  the  pulse.  Other  conditions  of  the  pulse  are: 
Infrequent  pulse,  which  means  that  the  number  of  pulsations  in  a  given 
time  is  less  than  normal.  The  quick  pulse  means  that  the  pulse  wave 
gives  the  sensation  to  the  finger  quicker  than  natural,  and  it  must  not 
be  confounded  with  the  frequent  pulse  which  refers  to  the  number  of 
pulsations;  thus  the  number  of  pulsations  may  be  frequent  while  each 
individual  beat  or  pulsation  may  be  quick  or  slow.  The  pulse  is  inter- 
mittent when  the  pulsations  do  not  follow  in  regular,  order.  For  ex- 
ample, the  pulse  may  beat  regularly  for  a  number  of  beats,  then  a 
longer  pause  between  two  beats  occurs,  then  beat  again  regularly  for 
several  beats,  or  in  other  words,  as  if  a  beat  was  left  out  at  intervals.  The 
large  pulse  and  the  small  pulse  refer  to  the  volume  of  the  pulse,  which 
may  be  larger  or  smaller  than  usual.  A  pulse  may  be  strong  or  feeble 
and  ut  the  same  time  may  be  either  large  or  small.  The  strong  pulse 
and  the  feeble  pulse  refer  to  the  strength  or  weakness  of  the  pulsation. 
It  in  called  the  hard  pulse  when  the  vessel  feels  hard  and  incompressi- 
ble. The  soft  pulse  is  the  reverse  of  the  hard  one.  By  dicrotic  pulse 
is  mi'. tut  that  kind  of  pulsation  which  makes  each  beat  seem  double, 
and  therefore  it  is  generally  called  the  double  pulse. 

The  venous  or  "jugular  pulser  is  the  pulsation  so  frequently  observed 
in  the  jugular  vein  of  cattle.  It  is  particularly  noticeable  while  they 
are  ruminating — "chewing  the  cud.'*  It  is  not  nhvays  associated  with 
disease,  but  may  be  a  symptom  of  some  disease  of  the  heart:  in  such 
cases  the  jugular  |»ulse  is  continuous. 


86  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

The  location  selected  for  feeling  the  pulse  in  cattle  is  where  the  sub- 
maxillary  artery  winds  around  the  lower  jaw  bones,  just  at  the  lower 
edge  of  the  flat  muscle  on  the  side  of  the  cheek.  Or  if  the  cow  is  lying 
down,  the  metacarpal  artery  on  the  back  part  of  the  fore  fetlock  is  very 
convenient  for  the  purpose.  Any  superficial  artery,  it  may  be  said,  will 
give  the  pulsations,  but  in  order  to  ascertain  the  peculiarities  it  is  nec- 
essary to  select  an  artery  which  may  be  pressed  against  a  bone. 

TEMPERATURE — ANIMAL  HEAT. 

The  heat  of  the  body  is  due  to  chemical  and  vital  changes  which 
occur  within  the  Tmimal,  and  is  maintained  at  an  average  temperature, 
with  but  slight  variations,  in  all  seasons,  without  regard  to  the  tem- 
perature of  the  surrounding  atmosphere.  The  principal  source  of  ani- 
mal heat  is  oxidation,  which  takes  place  in  the  tissues  throughout  the 
body.  The  oxygen  in  the  red  corpuscles  unites  with  the  carbon  (and 
forms  carbonic  acid  gas)  and  with  hydrogen  (and  forms  water),  and  the 
chemical  union  is  always  accompanied  by  heat.  Heat  is  lost  from  the 
body  by  evaporation,  radiation,  conduction,  and  with  the  escape  of 
urine  and  feces,  which  prevents  increase  above  the  normal  temperature. 
The  vasoinotor  nerves,  by  regulating  the  size  of  the  arteries,  regulate 
the  supply  of  blood  to  the  parts,  and  thus  assist  in  maintaining  an 
average  temperature.  The  average  normal  temperature  of  cattle  in 
confinement  is  about  101°  F.;  in  oxen  at  work,  or  cattle  at  liberty,  it  is 
about  102°  F.  In  calves  it  ranges  a  fraction  of  a  degree  higher.  In 
very  old  animals  it  is  lower  than  the  average  normal  temperature.  The 
method  of  ascertaining  the  temperature  is  by  inserting  the  bulb  of  a 
clinical  thermometer  into  the  rectum,  leaving  sufficient  remaining  out- 
side by  which  to  withdraw  it.  It  should  remain  in  the  gut  between 
three  and  four  minutes.  (Plate  in,  Fig.  1.) 

Some  veterinarians  are  very  expert  in  judging  the  temperature  by 
inserting  their  fingers  in  the  mouth,  but  this  method  requires  much 
practice,  both  on  the  healthy  and  diseased  animal.  The  hand  or  finger 
in  the  mouth  will  detect  an  elevation  of  temperature,  but  the  thermom- 
eter is  better,  especially  in  the  beginning  or  incubative  stage  of  disease. 
The  hand  on  the  surface  of  the  body  can  not  give  an  idea  of  internal 
temperature,  because  the  surface  may  feel  cold  while  the  interior  is 
elevated  above  the  normal.  Increase  above  the  normal  temperature 
does  not  point  to  a  particular  disease,  but  in  conjunction  with  other 
symptoms  it  is  a  valuable  aid;  and  during  the  progress  of  a  disease  it 
is  a  guide. 

The  changes  which  take  place  in  tissues  are  increased  by  disease,  and 
as  a  consequence  the  temperature  is  elevated,  which,  if  continued,  con- 
stitutes fever.  Congestion,  being  an  excessive  quantity  of  blood  in  a 
part,  is  accompanied  by  an  elevation  of  the  temperature.  Inflammation 
involves  changes  in  the  blood-vessels  and  circulation ;  there  is  escape 
of  fluid  blood  and  corpuscles  from  vessels,  and  changes  in  the  inflamed 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HEART    AND    BLOOD-VESSELS.  87 

tissues;  and  therefore  it  causes  increased  heat  (which  may  be  confined 
to  the  parts  inflamed,  or  may  be  constitutional,  as  inflammation  of  the 
lungs,  bowels,  etc.). 

DISEASE   OF   THE   HEART. 

Diseases  of  the  heart  among  cattle  are  not  very  common,  but  they 
are  by  no  means  unknown,  which  is  proved  not  so  much  by  meeting 
with  cases  in  practice  as  it  is  by  post-mortem  examinations.  In  this 
<-lass  of  animals  the  detection  of  heart  disease  is  attended  with  much 
difficulty.  In  man  the  heart  is  more  superficially  situated;  the  natural 
sounds  may  be  heard  distinctly,  and  any  deviation  from  them  is  easily 
recognized;  but  in  cattle- the  heart  is  enveloped  by  large  lungs,  large 
flat  ribs,  thick  muscles,  more  or  less  fat,  and  thick  skin  covered  with 
hair,  which  are  obstacles  in  the  way  of  detecting  the  variations  of  the 
sounds  not  to  be  overcome.  However,  the  writer  will  endeavor  to  place 
before  the  reader  all  the  important  information  bearing  upon  the  sub- 
j<  ( -t.  collected  from  the  best  sources,  as  well  as  from  practical  expe- 
rience. 

Extensive  heart  disease  may  exist  in  a  cow  without  any  alarming 
symptoms  being  manifested.  This  is  due  to  the  fact  that  cows  are  not 
put  to  severe  exertion.  Affections,  as  will  be  pointed  out  hereafter, 
may  pass  unnoticed  until  after  death,  when  an  examination  of  the  heart 
will  discover  a  disease  of  such  extraordinary  character  as  to  create  the 
wonder  how  the  animal  lived  without  showing  signs  of  serious  ailment. 

The  symptoms  of  the  particular. heart  affections  are  in  most  cases  so 
obx'iire  that  it  is  difficult  to  lay  before  the  general  reader  signs  which 
may  be  tinned  diagnostic.  Therefore  in  a  work  of  this  kind  it  is  not 
out  of  place  to  give  a  summary  of  those  symptoms  which  usually  ac- 
company diseases  of  the  heart,  so  that  when  one  or  more  of  them  are 
presented  a  more  careful  examination  may  be  made  for  heart  trouble. 
The  following  symptoms  have  been  noticed  in  numerous  cases  of  the 
iliti'rj-ent  affections  of  this  organ:  Megrims  or  vertigo;  dropsical  swell- 
ing of  the  legs;  swelling  under  the  jaw  and  on  the  neck  and  brisket; 
isteut  palpitation  of  the  heart;  constant  jugular  pulse;  fluttering 
of  the  heart;  irregular,  soft,  and  weak  pulse, or  strong  and  hard  pulse; 
inability  to  undergo  exertion;  disinclination  to  move,  and  grunting 
when  compiled  to  move;  faintm  >s:  quickened  breathing;  irregular 
spa.sms  of  the  muscles  of  the  neck,  breast,  or  legs. 

HEART   8OUND8. 

Corresponding  with  the  beats  of  the  heart  two  sounds  are  emitted, 
which  in  a  state  of  health  are  uniform  and  characteristic.  The  lirst  is 
longer  and  duller  than  the  second,  which  is  short  and  sharp,  and  is 
likened  to  the  sound  produced  when  two  pieces  of  ribbon  are  snapped 
together.  The  interval  between  the  two  is  very  short,  the  sound  of 
the  first  almost  seems  to  be  continued  into  the  second.  After  the 


88  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

second  sound  there  is  a  longer  interval  until  tlie  first  is  heard  again, 
which  corresponds  with  the  interval,  or  pause,  between  the  beats  of  the 
heart.  Opinions  differ  as  to  the  exact  cause  of  these  sounds.  The  first 
corresponds  with,  and  is  said  to  be  due  to,  the  closure  of  the  auriculo- 
vcntricular  valves ;  by  some  authorities  it  is  thought  to  be  a  muscular 
sound  caused  by  the  contraction  of  the  ventricles;  others  think  it  is 
the  impulse  of  the  heart  against  the  wall  of  the  chest.  The  second 
sound  is  caused  by  the  closure  of  the  valves  at  the  beginning  of  the 
common  aorta  and  pulmonary  artery.  These  sounds,  as  heard  when 
the  ear  is  placed  against  the  chest,  may  be  said  to  resemble  the  pro- 
nunciation of  the  words  "  lub-dup,"  "  lub-dup,"  "  lub-dup,"  etc. 

To  appreciate  these  sounds,  the  ear  is  placed  against  the  left  side  of 
the  chest,  a  little  above  the  point  where  the  elbow  rests  when  the 
animal  is  standing  in  a  natural  position.  By  having  an  assistant  pull 
the  left  fore  leg  and  elbow  forward,  a  better  opportunity  is  afforded  to 
place  the  ear  against  the  chest  in  the  desired  location.  If  the  hand  is 
placed  flatly  against  the  chest  in  the  same  situation,  the  beating  of  the 
heart  will  be  felt.  The  impulse  of  the  heart  may  be  felt  and  the  sounds 
may  be  heard  fairly  well  in  lean  cattle,  but  in  fat  ones  it  is  difficult  and 
often  impossible  to  detect  either  impulse  or  sound  with  any  degree  of 
satisfaction. 

The  impulse  of  the  heart,  as  felt  by  placing  the  hand  against  the 
chest,  is  of  some  consequence  in  arriving  at  a  conclusion  in  respect  to 
disease  of  the  heart;  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  impulse  may 
be  very  much  increased  by  diseases  other  than  those  of  the  heart,  as 
for  example,  inflammation  of  various  organs,  severe  pains,  etc.  The  im- 
pulse may  also  be  increased  (when  disease  does  not  exist)  by  work, 
exercise,  fright,  or  any  cause  of  excitement. 

The  variations  from  the  natural  heart  sounds  will  be  pointed  out 
when  the  diseases,  in  which  they  occur,  are  described. 

PALPITATION. 

When  the  impulse  of  the  heart  is  excessive,  that  is,  when  it  beats 
more  or  less  tumultuously,  the  familiar  expression  "  palpitation  of  the 
heart"  is  applied;  and  by  many  it  is  called  "  thumps.*'  The  hand  or 
ear  placed  against  the  chest  easily  detects  the  unnatural  beating.  In 
some  cases  it  is  so  violent  that  the  motion  may  be  seen  at  a  distance. 
Palpitation  is  but  the  symptom,  and  in  many  instances  not  connected 
with  disease  of  the  structure  of  the  heart  or  its  membranes.  An  ani- 
mal badly  frightened  may  have  palpitation.  When  it  comes  on  sud- 
denly and  soon  passes  away,  it  depends  on  some  cause  other  than  dis- 
ease of  the  heart;  but  when  it  is  gradually  manifested,  and  becomes 
constant,  although  more  pronounced  at  one  time  than  another,  heart 
disease  may  be  suspected,  especially  if  other  symptons  of  heart  disease 
are  present. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HEART   AND-  BLOOD-VESSELS.  89 

INJURY   TO    THE   HEART   BY   FOREIGN   BODIES. 

Cattle  are  addicted  to  the  habit  of  chewing  and  swallowing  many 
objects  not  intended  by  nature  or  man  as  articles  of  food.  Every  vet- 
erinarian of  experience  has  met  with  instances  to  remind  him  of  this, 
and  it  is  well  known  to  butchers.  Among  the  great  variety  of  things 
that  have  thus  found  their  way  into  the  stomachs  of  cattle  the  following 
have  been  noticed :  Gold  finger-rings,  knitting  needles,  old  shoes,  table 
knives,  wood,  pieces  of  leather,  pieces  of  wire,  buttons,  hairpins, 
brushes,  nails,  coins,  etc.  The  more  sharply-pointed  objects  often 
penetrate  the  wall  of  the  stomach,  gradually  work  their  way  toward 
the  heart,  pierce  the  pericardium  (bag  inclosing  the  heart),  wound  the 
heart,  and  prove  fatal  to  the  animal.  Cases  are  recorded  in  which  the 
foreign  body  has  actually  worked  its  way  into  one  of  the  cavities  of  the 
heart.  However,  instances  are  known  in  which  the  object  took  a  dif- 
ferent course,  and  finally  worked  its  way  toward  the  surface  and  was 
extracted  from  the  wall  of  the  chest.  While  it  is  possible  that  the 
object  may  pierce  the  wall  at  different  parts  of  the  alimentary  canal,  as 
it  frequently  does  that  of  the  rumen  (paunch),  it  is  thought  that  in  the 
great  majority  of  cases  it  passes  through  the  wall  of  the  reticulum 
(smaller  honeycombed  compartment,  or  second  stomach)  and  is  drawn 
toward  the  heart  by  the  suction-like  action  of  the  chest.  Post-mortem 
•  \uniinations  have  demonstrated  the  course  it  pursued,  as  adhesions 
and  other  results  of  the  inflammation  it  caused  were  plainly  to  be  seen. 
It  is  rare  that  there  are  any  symptoms  exhibited  to  lead  one  to  suppose 
that  there  is  anything  amiss  until  the  pericardium  or  heart  is  involved; 
in  fact,  the  object  may  be  retained  for  a  long  time  in  one  of  the  com- 
partments of  the  stomach,  or,  after  finding  its  way  through  the  wall,  it 
may  lodge  in  the  tissues,  perhaps  cause  an  abscess  or  but  slight  trou- 
ble, until  some  circumstance  causes  it  to  move  on.  The  object  is  often 
found  having  an  eroded  .appearance,  due  to  the  chemical  action  of  the 
fluid  which  surrounds  it,  and  it  is  even  recorded  that  it  has  been  en- 
tirely dissolved. 

The  symptoms  of  this  trouble  are  not  plain,  and  it  is  seldom  possi- 
ble to  give  more  than  an  opinion  that  certain  symptoms  have  been  exhib- 
ited in  connection  with  a  foreign  body  wounding  the  heart  or  its  sac, 
but  Prof.  Williams  (Veterinary  Surgery)  says: 

More  commonly,  however,  the  symptoms  of  the  lesion  have  become  gradually  diag- 
nostic; at  first  symptomatic  of  indigestion,  with  capriciotuneM  of  the  appetite,  flatu- 
lence, and  eructation  of  gases,  and  gradual  emaciation.  After  awhile  the  pulse 
becomes  exceedingly  small;  the  jugular  veins  arc  distended;  there  is  also  a  well- 
marked  jugular  thrill  or  pulse,  extending  even  ax  high  as  the  bifurcation  of  thcte 
veins,  associated  sometimes  with  palpitation  of  the  heart.  To  these  succeed  (rdcma 
of  the  intermaxillary  ureolar  tin-tne.  gradually  extending  down  the  neck  to  the  dew- 
lap;  in  some  instances  clonic  ppaains  of  the  Hiiperticial,  particularly  the  cervical 

III  It -r  le». 


90  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Hill,  ill  his  "Bovine  Medici n<>  and  Surgery/'  reports  the  following 
case  which  will  serve  as  an  illustration  of  the  trouble: 

A  row  v.'a.i  near  the  time  of  calving,  when  she  Ix-rumr  seriously  ill,  but  the 
symptoms  did  not  indicate  any  connection  •with  parturition;  indeed,  they  were  of 
such  obscure  nature  that  it  was  impossible  to  say  what  was  the  malady.  There  were 
dullness,  unwillingness  to  move,  constipation,  and  cedematous  swelling  about  her. 
She  died  on  the  sixth  day.  On  opening  her  it  appeared  that  the  heart  and  its  in- 
vesting membrane  or  bag  occupied  nearly  three  times  their  natural  space.  The  deli- 
cat-'  and  transparent  membrane  was  thickened  until  it  bore  no  slight  resemblance  to 
a  portion  of  the  paunch;  and  the  bag  contained  a  gallon  of  discolored  fluid.  A 
piece  of  darning-needle,  two  iuches  and  a  half  in  length,  with  the  eye  broken  off, 
was  found  in  the  pericardium,  aud  a  small  ulcer,  three-quarters  of  an  inch  deep, 
appeared  noar  the  apex  or  point  of  the  heart.  Two  sixpenny  nails  were  found  in 
the  paunch. 

Hill  also  reports  the  following  case  of  a  cow  attended  by  himself: 

I  found  her  breathing  short,  eyes  unusually  bright,  pulse  quick,  temperature  105°, 
milk  nearly  gone,  aud  no  appetite.  I  was  informed  by  the  bailiff  that  she  had 
appeared  well  until  the  day  but  one  previously,  and  he  thought  she  must  have  taken 
cold  during  one  of  the  bleak  nights  she  was  out.  There  was,  however,  no  grunting 
or  cough ;  the  breathing,  which  I  have  stated  was  short,  was  to  appearance  much 
tli.-  same  as  one  observed  in  a  broken-winded  horse — a  jerking  double  movement  in 
the  flank.  On  auscultation,  congestion  of  both  lungs — particularly  the  left — was 
manifest.  I  ordered  mustard  to  be  applied  to  the  sides,  and  sent  a  diffusible  stimu- 
lant to  be  given  in  gruel  morning  and  night.  She  continued  in  the  same  state  uutil 
the  25th,  when  diarrhea  set  in,  and  I  observed  the  slightest  perceptible  grunt;  her 
pulse  had  now  reached  96,  and  the  temperature  was  still  high.  From  her  disinclina- 
tion to  move,  the  absence  of  any  cough,  the  grunt  aud  the  peculiarity  in  the  breathin"1 
which  I  have  observed  before  in  such  cases,  I  suggested  the  probability  of  some  for- 
eign body  having  been  swallowed. 

The  cow  died  in  great  agony  on  the  28th.  Post-mortQtn  examination 
discovered  a  stocking  needle,  3  inches  long,  in  the  apex  of  the  heart,  and 
the  heart  and  pericardium  diseased  to  such  an  extent  that  they  weighed 
17  pounds. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  treatment  in  such  cases  is  useless,  but  when 
it  is  possible  to  diagnose  the  case  correctly  the  animal  could  be  turned 
over  to  the  butcher  before  the  flesh  becomes  unfit  for  use.  Knowing 
that  cattle  are  prone  to  swallow  such  objects,  ordinary  care  may  be 
exercised  in  keeping  their  surroundings  as  free  of  them  as  possible. 

PERICARDITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  pericardium  (heart-bag)  is  often  associated  with 
pneumonia  and  pleurisy,  rheumatism,  and  other  constitutional  diseases. 
It  also  occurs  as  an  independent  affection,  due  to  causes  similar  to 
those  of  other  chest  affections,  as  exposure  to  cold  or  dampness,  and 
changes  of  the  weather. 

Symptoms. — It  may  be  ushered  in  with  a  chill,  followed  by  fever,  of 
moro  or  less  severity ;  the  animal  stands  still  and  dull,  with  head  hanging 
low,  and  anxiety  expressed  in  its  countenance.  The  pulse  may  be  large, 
perhaps  hard;  there  is  also  a  venous  pulse.  The  hand  against  the 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HEART    AND    BLOOD-VESSELS.  91 

chest  will  feel  the  beating  of  the  heart,  which  is  often  irregular,  some- 
times violent,  and  in  other  instances  weak.  Legs  are  cold;  the  breath 
ing  quickened,  and  usually  abdominal;  if  the  left  .side  of  the  chest  be 
pressed  on  or  struck,  the  animal  evinces  much  pain;  there  also  may  be 
a  furrow  or  line  extending  along  the  line  of  the  false  ribs  from  below 
and  behind  the  elbow  back  to  the  flank.  (It  must  be  remembered  that 
most  of  these  symptoms  are  also  seen  in  connection  with  pleurisy,  and 
care  must  be  taken  to  discriminate.)  There  may  be  spasms  of  the 
muscles  in  the  region  of  the  breast,  neck,  or  hind  legs.  After  a  time, 
which  varies  in  length,  the  legs  may  become  swollen,  and  swelling  may 
also  appear  under  the  chest  and  brisket. 

In  those  animals  in  which  the  heart  sounds  may  be  heard  somewhat 
distinctly,  the  ear  applied  against  the  chest  will  detect  a  to  and-fro 
friction  sound,  corresponding  to  the  beats  of  the  heart;  this  sound  is 
produced  by  the  rubbing  of  the  internal  surface  of  the  heart-bag  against 
he  external  surface  of  the  heart.  During  the  first  stages  of  the  in- 
flammation these  surfaces  are  dry,  and  the  rubbing  of  one  against  the 
other  during  the  contraction  and  relaxation  of  the  heart  produces  the 
to-and-fro  friction  sound.  The  dry  stage  is  followed  by  the  exudation 
of  fluid  into  the  heart-sac,  and  the  friction  is  not  heard  until  the  fluid 
is  absorbed  sufficiently  to  allow  the  surfaces  to  come  in  contact  again. 
But  during  the  time  the  friction  sound  is  lost  a  sound  which  has  been 
called  a  "churning  noise "  may  take  its  place.  When  the  to-and-fro 
friction  sound  does  not  return,  adhesion  of  the  surfaces  may  be  sus- 
pected. A  murmuring  sound,  likened  to  that  made  by  a  bellows,  some- 
times takes  the  place  of  the  friction  sound,  and  signifies  that  endocar- 
ditis is  also  present. 

The  friction  sound  of  pericarditis  can  not  be  mistaken  for  the  friction 
SOP.  ml  of  pleurisy  if  the  examination  is  a  careful  one,  because,  in  the 
he-art  a  flection,  the  sound  is  made  in  connection  with  the  heart  beats, 
while  in  the  pleuritic  affection  the  sound  is  synchronous  with  each 
respiration  or  breath  of  air  taken  in  and  expelled  from  the  lungs. 

Treatment. — When  pericarditis  is  complicated  with  rheumatism  or 
other  diseases,  they  must  be  treated  as  directed  in  the  description  of 
them.  The  animal  must  be  kept  in  a  quiet,  comfortable  place,  where  it 
will  be  free  from  excitement.  Warm  clothing  should  Iw  applied  to  the 
body  and  the  legs  hand-rubbed  until  the  circulation  in  them  is  reestab- 
lished, and  then  snugly  bandaged.  The  food  should  be  nutritive,  and 
in  moderate  quantity.  Bleeding  should  not  be  performed  unless  the 
case  is  in  the  hands  of  an  expert. 

At  the  beginning  give  as  n  purgative  Kpsom  salts — 1  jMUind  to  an 
average-sized  cow — dissolved  in  about  a  quart  of  warm  water,  and 
administered  as  a  drench.  When  there  is  much  pain  -  ounces  of 
laudanum  may  be  given,  diluted  with  ft  pint  of  water,  every  three  hours, 
until  relief  is  given.  Do  not  give  the  laudanum  unless  demanded  by 
the  severity  of  the  pair.,  as  it  tends  to  constipation.  During  the  acute 


92  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ness  of  the  attack  20  drops  of  tincture  of  aconite  in  a  few  ounces  of 
water  every  three  or  four  hours  as  a  drench,  or  in  drinking  water,  is 
beneficial,  but  it  is  far  safer  for  the  nonprofessional  to  give  a  half 
ounce  of  nitrate  of  potassium  (saltpeter),  dissolved  in  drinking  water, 
four  or  five  times  a  day.  After  the  attack  has  abated,  mustard  mixed 
with  water  may  be  rubbed  well  over  the  left  side  of  the  chest  to  stim- 
ulate the  absorption  of  the  fluid  contained  within  the  pericardium.  The 
other  medicines  may  be  discontinued  and  the  following  administered: 
Sulphate  of  iron,  2  ounces;  powdered  gentian,  6  ounces,  mix  and  make 
eight  powders.  Give  one  powder  every  day  at  noon;  mixed  with  food, 
if  the  animal  will  eat  it,  or  shaken  up  with  water  in  a  bottle  as  a  drench. 
Also  the  following :  Iodide  of  potassium,  2  ounces ;  nitrate  of  potas- 
sium, 8  oiinces;  mix  and  make  sixteen  powders.  Give  one  in  drinking 
water,  or  in  drench,  every  morning  and  evening.  The  two  last  pre 
scriptions  may  be  continued  for  several  weeks  if  necessary. 

If  at  any  time  during  the  attack  much  weakness  is  manifested,  give 
the  following  drench  every  three  hours:  Spirits  of  nitrous  ether  r  3 
ounces;  rectified  spirits,  4  ounces ;  water,  1  pint;  mix,  and  give  as  a 
drench. 

In  some  cases  the  fluid  within  the  pericardial  sac  does  not  readily 
undergo  absorption.  In  such  cases,  in  addition  to  the  administration 
of  the  iron  and  iodide  of  potassium  preparations  before  advised,  a  blis- 
ter composed  of  red  iodide  of  mercury,  2  drams,  and  lard,  10  drams, 
well  rubbed  in  over  the  chest  in  the  region  of  the  heart,  may  have  the 
desired  effect.  In  extreme  cases  tapping  the  pericardium  with  a  trocar 
and  eanula,  to  draw  off  the  fluid,  is  resorted  to,  but  the  operation  re- 
quires exact  anatomical  knowledge. 

After  death  from  pericarditis  there  is  always  more  or  less  fluid  found 
in  the  pericardium ;  the  surfaces  are  rough  and  covered  with  a  yellow- 
colored  exudate.  There  are  also,  in  many  cases,  adhesions,  to  a  greater 
or  less  extent,  between  the  heart  and  pericardium. 

MYOCARDITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  muscular  structure  of  the  heart  occurs  in  limited, 
circumscribed  areas,  as  evidenced  by  post-mortem  examination,  and  it 
is  probably  always  somewhat  involved  in  connection  with  pericarditis 
and  endocarditis.  It  may  readily  be  inferred  that  if  the  whole  organ 
were  inflamed  death  would  ensue  immediately.  When  it  is  complicated 
there  are  no  symptoms  by  which  it  may  be  distinguished  from  the  other 
affections.  Examination  after  death  has  revealed  abscesses  in  the  walls 
of  the  heart,  and  spots  where  inflammation  had  existed. 

ENDOCARDITIS. 

When  the  membrane  which  lines  the  cavities  of  the  heart — the  endo- 
cardium— suffers  inflammation  the  disease  is  called  endocarditis.  When 
it  exists  it  is  usually  a  complication  of  rheumatism.  The  symptoms  are 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HEART   AND    BLOOD-VESSELS.  93 

much  the  same  as  those  of  pericarditis,  and  it  is  difficult  to  discriminate 
between  the  two  affections.  As  in  other  heart  troubles,  there  is  a  jug- 
ular pulse,  the  legs  may  become  dropsical,  and  there  is  a  tendency  to 
faint  if  the  head  is  elevated  suddenly.  It  is  said  that  the  bellows-like 
sound  is  much  more  distinct  than  it  is  in  pericarditis.  It  is  the  most 
fatal  of  heart  diseases,  because  of  the  liability  of  the  formation  of  clots, 
which  may  adhere  to  the  valves,  change  in  the  structure  of  the  valves, 
and  often  a  complication  with  an  abnormal  condition  of  the  blood. 
Clots  may  be  formed  in  the  heart  and,  being  carried  to  other  parts, 
prove  fatal  by  interrupting  the  circulation  in  some  vital  organ. 

The  same  treatment  as  advised  for  pericarditis  may  be  followed  in 
tills  disease.  Especial  precautions  should  be  observed  in  the  use  of 
aconite. 

VALVES   OF   THE   HEART. 

The  valves  are  subject  to  abnormal  growths  and  structural  changes. 
Cases  are  also  reported  in  which  they  have  been  found  ruptured.  The 
want  of  diagnostic  symptoms  in  cattle  makes  it  useless  to  enumerate 
signs  of  no  practical  value. 

TUMORS   IN    THE   HEART. 

Post-mortem  examinations  have  revealed  tumors  of  various  kinds 
and  shapes  in  the  cavities  of  the  heart  of  cattle.  They  may  be  attached 
to  the  walls  or  valves,  or  exisjt  in  the  structure  of  the  wall.  They  have 
also  been  found  externally,  of  enormous  size,  attached  to  the  apex.  On 
this  subject  Gamgee  remarks: 

It  is  evident  tliat  the  importance  of  these  organic  disorders  varies  as  much  from 
tin-  position  of  the  growth  as  from  its  size  and  tendency  to  interfere  with  the  heart's 
action.     The  presence  of  n  small  obstruction  within  the  heart  is  calculated  to  en- 
danger an  animal's  life  far  more  than  an  external  tumor.     Thus,  a  polypus  forming 
within  the  auricle  may  drop  on  the  corresponding  auricnlo-veutricular  opening  and 
•  tho  blood's  flow.     It  ia  remarkable  that,  as  shown  by  Case  II,  reported  below. 
u  largo  polypus  may  have  its  pedicle  in  the  auricle,  and  continue  growing  in  the 
:  :cle  to  the  extent  of  tilling  the  latter,  and  yet  the  animal  died  suddenly  without 
has  ing  previously  shown  signs  of  ill  health. 

The  polypus  referred  to  in  Case  II  was  found  in  the  heart  of  an  ox, 
and  measured  over  five  inches  in  its  greatest  length,  and  over  nine 
inches  in  its  greatest  circumference. 

HYPERTROPHY    OF    THE    HEART. 

This  is  an  enlargement  of  the  heart,  and  may  consist  of  the  thicken 
ing  of  the  walls  alone,  or  at  the  same  time  the  cavities  may  be  either 
enlarged  or  diminished  in  size.  Dilatation  of  the  cavities  has  also  been 
noticed,  as  existing  independently  of  thickened  walls.  It  is  said  that 
in  hypertrophy  the  sounds  of  tho  heart  are  loud  and  pronounced,  and 
may  be  heard  on  both  sides  of  the  chest  very  distinctly,  and  palpita- 
tion to  si  greater  or  less  extent  is  constant.  Luckily  both  conditions 
are  very  rare  in  cattle. 


94  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ATROPHY. 

Atrophy  is  the  technical  term  for  wasting  of  the  muscular  tissue. 
Atrophy  of  the  heart  is  very  rare  among  cattle,  aud  is  usually  a  result 
of  other  diseases. 

FATTY  DEGENERATION  OF  THE  HEART. 

This  condition  of  the  heart  is  met  with  in  cattle,  but  it  must  be  un- 
derstood that  the  accumulation  of  fat  around  the  heart  is  not  referred 
to  by  this  designation.  In  fatty  degeneration  the  elements  of  the  mus- 
cular tissue  are  replaced  by  fatty  or  oily  granules. 

CYANOSIS. 

Owing  to  the  most  prominent  symptom,  this  condition  is  also  called 
"  blue  disease/'  It  is  seen  occasionally  in  new-born  calves.  It  is  rec- 
ognized by  the  blue  color  of  the  mucus  membrane  (easily  seen  by  look- 
ing within  the  mouth  and  nostrils),  the  coldness  of  the  surface  of  the 
body,  and  rapid,  labored  breathing.  It  is  due  to  nonclosure  of  the 
foramen  ovale  (see  description  of  the  heart)  and  the  consequent  mixing 
of  the  venous  with  the  arterial  blood.  Calves  so  affected  live  but  a 
short  time. 

MISPLACEMENT   OF   THE   HEART. 

-  Cases  are  recorded  in  which  the  heart  has  been  found  out  of  its 
natural  position,  sometimes  located  outside  of  the  chest.  This  is  a  con- 
genital condition,  for  which  there  is  no  remedy. 

WOUNDS   OF   ARTERIES   AND   VEINS. 

When  a  blood-vessel  is  opened  it  may  be  told  at  a  glance  whether 
it  is  an  artery  or  a  vein  by  simply  bearing  in  mind  that  bright  red  blood 
comes  from  arteries  and  dark  red  from  veins.  When  a  vein  or  a  very 
small  artery  is  severed  the  blood  flows  from  the  vessel  in  a  continuous 
aisd  even  stream,  but  when  one  of  the  larger  arteries  is  severed  the 
blood  comes  from  it  in  intermitting  jets  or  spurts,  corresponding  to  the 
beats  of  the  heart.  It  is  well  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  dark 
red  blood  which  flows  or  oozes  from  a  wound  soon  becomes  bright  red, 
because  it  gives  up  its  carbonic  acid  gas  to  the  air,  and  absorbs  oxygen 
gas  from  the  air,  which  is  exactly  the  change  it  undergoes  in  the  cap- 
illaries of  the  lungs. 

The  general  treatment  of  wounds  will  be  found  in  another  section ; 
here  it  is  only  necessary  to  refer  briefly  to  some  of  the  most  practical 
methods  used  to  arrest  hemorrhages,  as  instances  occur  where  an 
animal  may  lose  much  strength  from  the  loss  of  blood,  or  even  bleed  to 
death  unless  action  is  prompt. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HEART    AND    BLOOD-VESSELS.  95 

HEMOKHIIAGE. 

The  severity  of  a  hemorrhage  depends  upon  the  size  of  the  vessel 
from  which  the  blood  escapes,  though  it  may  be  stated  that  it  is  more 
serious  when  arteries  are  severed;  however,  a  groat  deal  depends  on 
the  manner  in  which  the  vessel  is  wounded.  If  the  wound  in  an  artery 
is  in  the  direction  of  its  length,  the  blood  escapes  more  freely  than 
if  the  vessel  is  completely  severed,  because  in  the  latter  instance  the 
severed  ends  retract,  and  may  aid  very  much  in  arresting  the  flow. 
When  the  blood  merely  oo/esirom  the  wound,  and  even  in  cases  where 
it  flows  in  a  small  stream,  the  forming  of  the  clot,  as  explained  in  the 
description  of  the  blood,  arrests  the  hemorrhage  in  a  comparatively 
short  time. 

Slight  hemorrhages  may  be  checked  by  the  continuous  application  to 
the  wound  of  cold  water,  ice,  or  snow,  as  they  cause  a  contraction  of  the 
small  vessels.  The  water  may  be  thrown  on  a  wound  from  a  hose,  or 
dashed  on  it  from  the  hand  or  a  cup,  or  folds  of  cotton  cloths  may  be 
held  on  the  wound  and  kept  wet.  Ice  or  snow  may  be  held  against  the 
wound,  or  they  may  be  put  in  a  bag  and  conveniently  secured  in  posi- 
tion. 

Hot  water  of  an  average  temperature  of  115°  to  120°  F.  injected  into 
the  vagina  or  womb  is  often  efficient  in  arresting  hemorrhages  from 
ih'txe  organs.  Tow,  raw  cotton,  lint,  or  sponges  may  be  forced  into  a 
wound  and  held  or  bound  there  with  bandages.  This  is  an  excellent 
method  in  checking  the  flow  of  blood  until  the  arrival  of  an  expert.  If 
the  flow  persists  these  articles  may  be  saturated  with  tincture  of  iron, 
but  it  is  not  advisable  to  use  the  tincture  of  iron  if  it  can  be  avoided, 
as  it  is  a  caustic,  and  retards  healing  by  causing  a  slough.  The  arti- 
may  be  saturated  with  vinegar  in  cases  of  necessity,  or  tannic  acid, 
or  alum,  dissolved  in  water  may  be  used  instead.  The  article  (which- 
ever is  used)  should  be  left  in  the  wound  sufficiently  long  to  make  sure 
fn.it  its  removal  will  not  be  followed  by  a  renewal  of  the  hemorrhage. 
1 1  should  remain  there  one  or  two  days  in  some  instances,  unless  removed 
by  the  veterinarian. 

An  iron  heated  until  it  is  white  and  then  pressed  on  the  bleeding 
VHtel  for  three  or  fotir  seconds  is  occasionally  used.  It  should  !•••  at 
whitv  heat  anil  applied  for  a  moment  only,  or  else  the  charred  tissue 
will  come  away  with  the  iron  and  thus  defeat  the  purpose  of  its  appli- 
cation. 

The  best  of  all  means  is  compression.  This  may  be  applied  in  different 
ways,  but  only  the  most  convenient  will  be  mentioned.  In  most  wounds 
bandages  may  easily  be  applied.  The  bandages  may  "be  made  of  linen, 
muslin,  etc.,  sufficiently  wide  and  long,  according  to  the  nature  of  the 
wound  and  the  region  to  be  bandaged.  I  ted  sheets  torn  in  strips  the 
full  length  make  excellent  bandages  for  this  pur]M>se..  Cotton  batting 
tow,  or  H  piece  of  sponge  may  be  placed  on  the  wound  and  firmly  bound 
there  with  the  bandages. 


96  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

In  many  instances  ligating  the  vessel  is  necessary.  A  ligature  is  a 
piece  of  thread  or  string  tied  around  the  vessel.  Ligating  is  almost 
entirely  confined  to  arteries.  Veins  are  not  ligated  unless  very  large 
(and  even  then  only  when  other  means  are  not  available)  on  account  of 
the  danger  of  phlebitis  or  inflammation  of  a  vein.  The  ligature  is  tied 
around  the  end  of  the  artery,  but  in  some  instances  this  is  difficult,  and 
it  is  necessary  to  include  some  of  the  adjacent  tissue,  although  care 
should  be  taken  that  a  nerve  is  not  included.  To  apply  a  ligature  it  is 
necessary  to  have  artery  forceps  (tweezers  or  small  pincers  may  suffice) 
by  which  to  draw  out  the  artery  in  order  to  tie  the  string  around  it. 
To  grasp  the  vessel  it  may  be  necessary  to  sponge  the  blood  from  the 
wound  so  that  the  end  will  be  exposed.  In  case  the  end  of  the  bleeding 
artery  has  retracted,  a  sharp-pointed  hook  called  a  teiiaculum  is  used 
to  draw  it  out  far  enough  to  tie.  The  ligature  should  be  drawn  tightly 
so  that  the  middle" and  internal  coats  will  be  cut  through. 

Another  method  of  checking  hemorrhage  is  called  torsion.  It  consists 
in  catching  the  end  of  the  bleeding  vessel,  drawing  it  out  a  little,  and 
then  twisting  it  around  a  few  times  with  the  forceps,  which  lacerates 
the  internal  coats  so  that  a  check  is  effected.  It  is  very  effectual  in 
small  vessels,  and  is  to  be  preferred  to  ligatures,  because  it  leaves  no 
foreign  body  in  the  wound.  A  needle  or  pin  may  be  stuck  through 
the  edges  of  a  wound,  and  a  string  passed  round  between  the  free  ends 
and  the  skin  (Plate  xxvui,  Fig.  10),  or  it  may  be  passed  round  in  the  form 
of  the  figure  8,  as  is  often  done  in  the  operation  of  bleeding  from  the  jug- 
ular vein. 

ARTERITIS. 

Inflammation  of  arteries  is  of  rare  occurrence  in  cattle,  and  requires 
no  more  than  mention  here. 

DEGENERATION  OF  THE  COATS  OF  ARTERIES. 

Three  kinds  are  recognized:  (1)  Calcareous  degeneration,  in  which 
phosphate  and  carbonate  of  lime  are  deposited  in  the  middle  coat  of  an 
artery;  the  calcification  may  extend  to  the  external  and  internal  coats; 
it  is  associated  with  old  age;  (2)  cartilaginous  degeneration,  affecting 
small  arteries;  (3)  fatty  degeneration,  usually  met  with  in  cases  of  fatty 
degeneration  of  other  parts. 

ANEURISM. 

A  circumscribed  dilatation  of  an  artery,  constituting  a  tumor  which 
pulsates  synchronously  with  the  beats  of  the  heart,  is  called  aneurism. 
It  is  due  to  disease  and  rupture  of  one  or  two  of  the  arterial  coats.  The 
true  aneurism  communicates  with  the  interior  of  the  artery,  and  con- 
tains coagulated  blood.  They  are  so  deeply  seated  in  cattle  that  treat- 
ment is  out  of  the  question.  Death  is  sudden  when  due  to  the  rupture 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HEART   AND    BLOOD-VESSELS.  97 

of  an  aneurism  of  a  large  artery,  owing  to  internal  hemorrhage.  A  false 
aneurism  results  from  blood  escaping  from  a  wounded  artery  into  the 
adjacent  tissue,  where  it  clots,  and  the  wound,  remaining  open  in  the 
artery,  causes  pulsation  in  the  tumor. 

INFLAMMATION   OF   VEINS — PHLEBITIS. 

When  bleeding  is  performed  without  proper  care,  or  with  unclean 
fleam  or  lancet,  inflammation  of  the  vein  may  result.  It  may  be  caused 
by  the  animal  rubbing  the  wound  against  some  object.  When  inflamma- 
tion follows  the  operation  the  coats  of  the  vein  Jbecome  enlarged,  so 
much  so  that  the  vessel  may  be  felt  hard  and  knotted  beneath  the 
skin,  and  when  pressed  on  pain  is  evinced.  A  thin,  watery  discharge, 
tinged  with  blood,  is&ies  from  the  wound.  When  the  pin  is  ta&en  out 
it  is  found  that  the  wound  has  not  healed.  The  blood  becomes  coagu- 
lated in  the  vessel.  In  inflammation  of  the  jugular  the  coagulation 
extends  from  the  wound  upward  to  the  first  large  branch.  Abscesses 
may  form  along  the  course  of  the  veiii.  The  inflammation  is  followed 
by  obliteration  of  that  part  in  which  coagulation  exists.  This  is  of 
small  import,  as  cattle  have  an  accessory  jugular  vein  which  gradually 
enlarges  and  accommodates  itself  to  the  increased  quantity  of  blood 
it  must  carry.  (The  existence  of  this  accessory  jugular  vein  is  the  rea- 
son why  only  a  small  stream  of  blood  is  obtained  in  certain  instances; 
when  the  large  jugular  vein  is  opened,  the  blood  flows  through  the 
deeper  seated  collateral  vessel.)  The  treatment  for  inflammation  of 
the  vein  is  to  clip  the  hair  from  along  the  course  of  the  affected  vessel 
ami  apply  a  blister,  the  cerate  of  cantharides.  Abscesses  should  be 
opened  as  soon  as  they  form,  because  there  is  a  possibility  of  the  pus 
grtting  into  the  circulation. 

In  the  operation  of  bleeding  the  instruments  should  be  clean  and  free 
from  rust.  If  the  skin  is  not  sufficiently  opened,  or  when  closing  the 
wound  the  skin  is  drawn  out  too  much,  blood  may  accumulate  in  the 
ti-^ue,  and  if  it  does  it  should  be  removed  by  pressing  absorbent  cotton 
or  a  sponge  on  the  part.  Care  should  also  be  used  in  opening  the  vein, 
so  that  the  instrument  does  not  pass  entirely  through  both  sides  of  the 
vein,  and  open  the  artery  beneath  it.  (See  Bleeding  or  Blood-letting, 
p.  307.) 

VAKICOSE   VEINS. 

The  following  quotation  is  from  Prof.  Williams's  Veterinary  Surgery: 

Tho  veins  of  tho  extremities  of  horned  cattlo  present  varieoso  dilatations  along 
their  course  in  the  form  of  Hacciil.itcd  or  knotty  protuberances  on  various  parts  of  the 
Vf.Mx-N;  tho  contained  bloo<l  is  at  first  in  n  fluid  Btato,  hut  nu  alteration  not  unfro- 
quently  occurs,  tho  blood  coagulates,  and  thn  vessel  become-*  obstructed.  The  for- 
mation of  those  congula  is  an  effect  of  inflammation  in  thn  coats  of  the  vein;  this 
inflammation  may  bo  alight  or  it  may  run  on  to  suppuration,  giving  rise  to  Hinall 
••*<••<.  I  liavo  repeatedly  met  with  this  form  of  phlebitis  in  cattle  underfed  nnd 

7 


98  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

kept  in  wet,  cold  situations.  It  seems  to  arise  from  debility  of  the  circulation  and 
relaxation  or  \vant  of  tone  in  the  coats  of  the  vessels.  The  treatment  for  dilatation 
without  inflammation:  Better  food,  warmth,  and  comfort;  tonics  and  pressure  by 
bandages;  and,  in  addition,  when  suppuration  is  established,  the  abscesses  are  to  be 
opened  and  blisters  applied,  but  no  pressure. 

AIR   IN  TEINS. 

Owing  to  the  suction  action  in  the  chest  (referred  to  in  the  descrip- 
tion of  the  blood-vessels),  when  a  large  vein  is  opened  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  chest  air  may  be  sucked  in,  which,  if  in  great  quantity,  will  cause 
death,  as  the  air  bubbles  are  carried  by  the  blood  to  the  capillaries  of 
the  lungs,  where  they  impede  the  circulation  by  occluding  the  small 
vessels. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HEART  AND  BLOOD-VESSELS. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATE. 
PLATE  VII: 

Diagram  illustrating  the  circulation  of  the  blood.  The  arrows  indicate  the  direc- 
tion in  which  the  blood  flows.  The  valves  of  the  heart,  situated  between  the 
right  auricle  and  ventricle,  and  left  auricle  and  ventricle,  and  between  the 
ventricles  and  large  arteries,  are  represented  by  curved  lines.  These  valves 
are  intended  to  prevent  the  flow  of  blood  in  a  direction  contrary  to  that  indi- 
cated by  the  arrows. 
100 


NONCONTAGIOUS  DISEASES  OF   THE  ORGANS  OF  RESPIRA- 
TION. 


By  Dr.  WILLIAM  HERBERT  LOWE, 

Superintendent  of  the  Untied  States  Neat  Cattle  Quarantine  Station  for  the  Port  of  X 

York,  Garfield,  N.  J. 


In  the  determination  of  disease  in  the  human  being  the  physician  is 
aided  by  both  subjective  and  objective  symptoms  in  making  his  diag- 
nosis; but  the  veterinary  physician,  in  a  very  large  majority  of  cases, 
is  obliged  to  rely  almost  solely  upon  objective  symptoms,  and  perhaps 
in  no  class  of  diseases  is  this  more  true  than  in  the  exploration  of  those 
under  consideration.  This  condition  of  affairs  has  a  strong  tendency  to 
<lc  vdop  observation  and  discernment  in  the  veterinarian,  and  not  infre- 
quently do  we  tind  that  the  successful  veterinary  practitioner  is  a  very 
accurate  diagnostician.  But  in  order  to  make  a  differential  diagnosis 
it  is  not  only  necessary  to  have  a  knowledge  of  the  structure  and  func- 
tions of  the  organs  in  health,  but  to  adopt  a  rigid  system  of  details  ot 
examination,  without  which  successful  results  can  not  be  reached.  The- 
•utical  treatment  is  worse  than  useless  until  the  nature  and  seat  of 
the  diseased  process  have  been  determined.  The  history  of  the  case 
should  always  be  ascertained  as  far  as  possible  and  duly  weighed.  True, 
this  is  often  unreliable,  but  even  when  this  is  the  case  it  is  advisable  to 
weigh  the  evidence  pro  and  cOn. 

As  above  indicated,  it  is  only  the  careful  and  constant  examination  of 
animals  in  health  that  will  enable  one  to  properly  appreciate  abnormal 
conditions.  One  must  become  familiar  with  the  frequency  and  charac- 
ter of  the  pulfie  and  of  the  respiration — must  know  the  temperature  of 
the  animal  in  health,  before  changes  in  abnormal  conditions  can  be  prop- 
erly appreciated. 

The  pulse  in  tin*  healthy  ox  is  more  frequent  than  in  the  horse,  beat- 
ing from  forty-five  to  fifty  times  per  minute,  while  in  the  latter  it  only 
beats  thirty-six  to  forty.  The  pulse  may  be  felt  wherever  an  artory 
passes  over  a  bone  close  to  t  he  skin.  Exercise,  overfeeding,  pregnancy, 
and  other  things  may  affect  the  frequency  and  character  of  the  pulse. 
It  assumes  various  characters  according  to  its  rapidity  of  beat,  fro 
queiicy  of  occurrence,  resistance  to  pressure,  regularity,  and  pcrcepti- 

101 


102  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

bility.  Thus  we  liave  the  quick  and  slow,  frequent  and  infrequent,  hard 
and  soft,  full  and  imperceptible,  large  and  small  pulses,  the  characters 
of  which  may  be  determined  from  their  names  j  also  that  form  known 
as  the  intermittent,  either  regular  or  irregular.  We  may  have  a  di- 
crotic  or  double  pulse ;  a  thready  pulse,  which  is  extremely  small  and 
scarcely  perceptible;  the  venous  pulse,  the  "running  down"  pulse, 
and  so  on.  (See  p.  84.) 

In  making  an  examination  of  an  animal  observe  the  depth,  frequency, 
quickness,  facility,  and  the  nature  of  the  respiratory  movements.  They 
may  be  quick  or  slow,  frequent  or  infrequent,  deep  or  imperfect,  la- 
bored, unequal,  irregular,  etc.,  each  of  which  has  its  significance  to  the 
educated  and  experienced  veterinarian. 

Sleep,  rumination,  pregnancy  in  cows,  etc.,  modify  the  respiratory 
movements  even  in  health.  Respiration  consists  of  two  acts,  inspira- 
tion and  expiration.  The  function  of  respiration  is  to  take  in  oxygen 
from  the  atmospheric  air,  which  is  essential  for  the  maintenance  of  life, 
and  to  exhale  the  deleterious  gas  known  as  carbon  dioxide. 

Cough  is  a  very  important  symptom,  often  being  diagnostic  in  diseases 
of  the  respiratory  organs,  but  which  can  be  more  satisfactorily  treated 
in  connection  with  the  special  diseases  of  the  organs  in  question. 

The  temperature  should  be  taken  in  all  cases  of  sickness.  Expe- 
rienced practitioners  can  approximate  the  patient's  temperature  with 
remarkable  accuracy,  but  I  would  strongly  recommend  the  use  of  the 
self-registering  clinical  thermometer,  which  is  a  most  valuable  instru- 
ment in  diagnosing  diseases.  (See  Plate  in,  Fig.  1).  It  is  important  that 
a  tested  instrument  be  secured,  as  some  thermometers  in  the  market  are 
inaccurate  and  are  worse  than  useless.  The  best  place  to  insert  the 
thermometer  in  the  bovine  is  in  the  rectum,  although  it  may  be  inserted 
in  the  mouth,  or  in  the  vagina  of  the  cow.  The  instrument  should  be 
rested  against  the  walls  of  the  cavity  for  about  three  minutes.  The 
normal  temperature  of  the  bovine  is  101  J°  F.  to  102°  F.,  which  is  higher 
than  that  of  the  horse.  A  cow  breathes  faster,  her  heart  beats  faster, 
and  her  internal  temperature  is  higher  than  that  of  the  horse.  Ordi- 
nary physiological  influences,  such  as  exercise,  digestion,  etc.,  give  rise 
to  slight  variations  of  internal  temperature,  but  if  the  temperature 
rises  two  or  three  degrees  above  the  standard  some  diseased  condition 
is  indicated. 

Auscultation  and  percussion  are  the  chief  methods  employed  to  de- 
termine the  various  pathological  changes  that  occur  in  the  respiratory 
organs.  Auscultation  is  the  act  of  listening,  and  may  be  either  mediate  or 
immediate.  Mediate  auscultation  is  accomplished  by  aid  of  an  instru- 
ment known  as  the  stethoscope,  one  extremity  of  which  is  applied  to 
the  ear  and  the  other  to  the  chest  of  the  animal.  In  immediate  aus- 
cultation the  ear  is  applied  directly  to  the  part.  Immediate  ausculta- 
tion will  answer  in  a  large  majority  of  cases.  Auscultation  is  resorted 
to  in  cardiac  and  certain  abdominal  diseases,  but  it  is  mainly  employed 


NONCONTAGIOUS  DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  OF  RESPIRATION.      103 

for  determining  the  condition  of  the  lungs  and  air  passages.  Animals 
can  not  give  the  various  phases  of  respiration  on  demand,  as  can  the 
patients  of  the  human  practitioner.  The  organs  themselves  are  less 
accessible  than  in  man,  owing  to  the  greater  bulk  of  tissue  surrounding 
them  and  the  pectoral  position  of  the  fore  extremities,  all  of  which 
render  it  more  difficult  in  determining  pathological  conditions.  (See 
1'late  vin.) 

If  the  ear  bo  applied  to  the  throat  of  a  healthy  bovine  the  air  will  be 
heard  passing  through  the  windpipe  with  a  regular,  steady,  blowing 
sound:  it'  applied  to  the  chest,  a  soft,  rustling  murmur  will  be  heard, 
caused  by  the  air  passing  in  and  out  of  the  fine  tubes  and  air  cells  of 
the  lungs,  whieh  has  been  likened  to  a  gentle  breeze  in  the  tree  tops. 
But  when  the  lungs  or  throat  are  diseased  the  sounds  are  very  much 
eli an;;e<l.  a  point  which  will  be  dealt  with  in  connection  with  the  treat- 
ment of  the  special  diseases  of  the  organs  of  respiration. 

Percussion  is  that  mode  of  examination  by  which  we  elicit  sounds  by 
striking  or  tapping  over  the  part.  It  may  be  direct  or  indirect.  If  the 
ends  of  the  fingers  of  the  left  hand  are  placed  firmly  on  the  chest  and 
smartly  tupped  with  the  ends  of  the  first  three  fingers  of  the  right  hand 
the  .sound  will  be  noticed  to  be  more  resonant  and  clear  than  when  the 
same  procedure  is  practiced  ou  a  solid  part  of  the  body.  This  is  be- 
eause  the  lungs  are  not  solid,  but  are  always  in  health,  well  expanded 
with  air.  But  in  certain  pulmonary  diseases  they  fill  up  and  become 
.solid,  when  the  sound  given  out  by  percussing  them  is  like  that  on  any 
other  solid  part  of  the  animal.  By  practice  on  healthy  animals  the 
character  and  boundaries  of  the  sounds  can  be  so  well  determined  that 
any  variations  i'rom  them  will  be  at  once  detected,  and  will  sometimes 
ilix-lo.se  the  presence  of  a  diseased  condition,  when,  nothing  else  will. 

CATARRH — COLD   IN   THE   HEAD. 

Nasal  eatarrh  is  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membranes  of  the 
nostrils  and  upper  air  passages.  Simple  catarrh  is  not  a  serious  disease 
in  itself,  but  if  neglected  is  liable  to  be  complicated  with  laryngitis, 
bronehitis,  pneumonia,  pleurisy,  and  other  diseases  of  the  respiratory 
organs,  which  are  of  a  serious  nature,  and  sometimes  fatal.  Catarrh  is 
a  eoinmon  disease  among  cattle.  It  is  often  due  to  sudden  exposure, 
to  wet  and  cold  after  they  have  been  accustomed  to  shelter.  It  may 
from  inhalation  of  irritating  gases.  It  is  sometimes  due  to  certain 
specific  atmospheric  conditions,  and  may  assume  ancnzootic  form:  it  is 
ver\  debilitating,  and  requires  prompt  and  judicious  treatment. 

Symptom*. — Kedness  of  the  mucous  membranes  of  the  nose,  redness 
ami  watering  of  the  eyes.  The  mucous  membrane  first  becomes  dry; 
afterwards  a  watery  discharge  appears,  and  later  on  in  severe  cases  the 
discharge  becomes  mucopurulent.  In  mild  cases  there  is  little  or  no 
fever,  but  in  severe  cases  the  fever  may  run  high.  The  animal  becomes 
dull,  languid,  and  is  not  inclined  to  move  about,  and  the  appetite  may 


104  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

become  impaired;  there  is  variable  temperature  of  the  horns  and  ears. 
If  in  a  cow  giving  milk,  the  secretion  diminishes;  the  mucus  from  the 
eyes  and  nose  becomes  thicker  and  yellower.  Afterwards,  as  the  symp- 
toms increase  in  severity,  the  discharge  becomes  mucopurulent. 

Treatment. — The  animal  should  be  housed  in  a  well-ventilated  place, 
with  good  hygienic  surroundings.  In  cold  and  damp  weather  it 
should  be  kept  warm  with  blanketing.  Give  hot,  medicated  inhal- 
ations in  severe  cases.  If  the  fever  is  high  this  may  be  reduced  by 
giving  nitrate  of  potassium,  from  1  to  2  ounces,  in  the  drinking  water, 
three  times  daily.  Diffusible  stimulants  are  beneficial  in  most  cases. 
Too  much  importance  can  not  be  attached  to  good  nursing.  There  is 
no  necessity  to  resort  to  the  old  system  of  bleeding,  purging,  or  the  use 
of  powerful  sedatives. 

EPISTAXIS — BLEEDING  FROM   THE   NOSE. 

Bleeding  from  the  nostrils  is  rather  rare  in  cattle.  It  may  arise 
from  any  one  of  a  variety  of  causes,  but  usually  results  from  disease  or 
injury  to  the  mucous  membranes,  or  to  violent  exertions  in  coughing  and 
sneezing.  It  is  seldom  serious.  The  bleeding  generally  occurs  in 
drops  from  one  nostril  only,  accompanied  by  sneezing,  and  without 
frothing.  Bleeding  from  the  lungs  comes  from  both  nostrils,  is  bright 
red,  frothy,  and  accompanied  by  a  cough. 

Treatment. — In  many  cases  the  bleeding  will  cease  spontaneously, 
and  all  that  is  necessary  is  to  keep  the  animal  quiet  and  bathe  the  head 
and  nostrils  with  cold  water.  Ascertain  the  cause  of  the  bleeding  and 
be  governed  accordingly  in  the  treatment.  In  severe  and  exceptional 
cases,  where  the  hemorrhage  is  persistent  and  long  continued,  tie  the 
animal's  head  to  a  high  rack  or  beam  and  apply  cold  water,  ice,  or  have 
recourse  to  styptic  injections.  If  the  hemorrhage  is  profuse  and  per- 
sistent give  either  a  drench  composed  of  1£  drams  of  acetate  of  lead 
dissolved  in  a  pint  of  water,  or  1£  drams  of  gallic  acid  dissolved  in  a 
pint  of  water. 

LARYNGITIS — SORE    THROAT. 

Laryngitis  consists  of  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  lin- ' 
ing  the  larynx.  It  may  be  either  a  primary  or  a  secondary  disease, 
complicated  or  uncomplicated.  In  the  majority  of  cases  it  is  due  to 
some  form  of  exposure,  a  sudden  change  from  warm  to  cold  surround- 
ings, or  exposure  to  cold  storms.  It  may  also  arise  from  inhaling 
irritating  gases.  It  may  be  the  result  of  external  violence.  In  an  acute 
attack  of  laryngitis  there  is  an  elevation  of  temperature,  pain  on  pres- 
sure over  the  region  of  larynx,  violent  paroxysms  of  coughing,  difficult,, 
and  noisy  respiration.  The  nostrils  are  dilated,  the  nose  extended,  and 
the  animal  has  a  frightened  expression.  There  is  marked  difficulty  in 
swallowing. 


NONCONTAGIOUS  DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  OF  RESPIRATION.      105 

Treatment. — This  consists  of  fomentations  and  hot  applications  over 
the  throat.  Stimulating  liniments,  mustard,  or  other  forms  of  counter 
irritation,  may  be  applied  in  severe  cases.  Hot  inhalations  should  be 
frequently  resorted  to,  and  often  afford  much  relief  to  the  suffering 
animal.  In  this  disease  medicines  should  be  given  as  far  as  possible  in 
the  form  of  electuaries  (soft  solid),  on  account  of  the  difficulty  of  degluti- 
tion. Large  drafts  of  medicines  have  a  tendency  to  produce  violent 
spells  of  coughing,  and  in  this  way  retard  recovery.  The  subjoined 
formula  for  an  fleet unry  will  be  found  to  answer  the  purpose  in  ordinary 
cases:  Chlorate  of  potassium,  pulverized,  8  ounces;  fluid  extract  of 
belladonna,  2  ounces;  powdered  opium,  1  ounce;  powdered  licorice 
root,  8  ounces;  sirup,  sufficient  quantity,  and  mix.  At  frequent  inter- 
vals place  a  small  tablespoonful  of  the  mixture  on  the  tongue  or  back 
t» -eth.  Or  the  following  may  be  used  instead: 

Aloes,  powdered  opium,  and  gum  camphor  in  equal  parts.  Mix. 
Rub  an  ounce  on  the  molar  teeth  every  four  or  five  hours.  The  bowels 
should  be  kept  open  and  the  diet  should  be  such  as  the  patient  can 
easily  swallow.  Warm  sloppy  mashes,  boiled  oatmeal  gruel,  linseed 
tea,  and  the  like,  are  the  most  suitable  substances.  If  suffocation  be 
threatened  during  the  course  of  the  disease  tracheotomy  should  be  per- 
formed without  delay.  The  details  of  the  operation  are  fully  described 
in  the  chapter  on  Surgical  Operations.  (See  p.  308.) 

When  the  disease  assumes  a  chronic  form  strong  counter  irritation 
is  indieated.  A  cantharides  blister  may  be  .applied,  or  the  following 
ointment  may  be  used:  Biniodide  of  mercury,  1  part;  lard,  C  parts. 
.Mix.  In  some  cases  it  will  be  found  necessary  to  repeat  the  above 
application. 

BRONCHITIS. 

Bronchitis  is  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  bron- 
chial tubes.  When  a  primary  disease  it  is  generally  the  result  of  what 
is  commonly  know  as  "  catching  cold."  It  may  be  secondary  to  or 
complicated  with  many  of  the  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system.  It 
also  be  caused  by  breathing  irritating  gases,  or  by  the  introduc- 
ti«in  of  foreign  bodies  into  the  bronchial  tubes,  which  sometimes  result 
I'm m  injudicious  and  careless  drenching  when  the  larynx  is  in  a  tem- 
IHM  ,,i  ily  relaxed  state.  It  may  be  acute  or  chronic,  and  is  divided  ac- 
cording to  the  seat  of  the  inflammation  into  bronchitis  proper,  where 
the  large  tubes  are  affected,  or  capillary  bronchitis,  where  the  smaller 
tu lies  are  affected. 

^Hinptonm. — Loss  of  appetite,  elevation  of  temperature,  generally  104° 
or  105°  F.  The  inspiration  is  incomplete,  short,  and  painful,  and  the 
expiration  is  prolonged.  The  pulse  is  increased  in  frequency,  and  is 
hard.  A  characteristic  ami  painful  cough  is  present,  but  it  is  paroxys- 
mal and  incomplete.  Auscultation  and  percussion  greatly  aid  us  in  a 
A  normal  sound  is  observed  on  percussion.  On  auseulta 


106  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

tion,  iii  the  early  stages,  rhonchusrale.-.  are  detected  if  the  larger  tubes 
are  affected,  and  sibilus  rales  if  the  smaller  tubes  are  affected.  Later 
on  mucous  rales  are  noted,  and  sometimes  all  sounds  in  certain  parts 
are  absent,  which  is  due  to  the  plugging  up  of  the  tubes.  This  plug 
giug  of  the  tubes  if  extensive  enough  is  sometimes  the  cause  of  death, 
or  death  may  result  from  extension  of  the  disease  to  the  lungs  or  pleura. 

Treatment. — The  animal  should  be  placed  in  a  light,  well  ventilated 
box,  and  the  bowels  kept  in  a  soft  condition  by  enemas,  etc.  Avoid 
violent  purgatives.  The  body  should  be  kept  warm  by  blanketing.  In 
the  early  stages  give  three  times  daily  a  draft  composed  as  follows: 
Extract  of  belladonna,  2  drams  5  solution  of  acetate  of  ammonium,  4 
fluid  ounces;  water,  one-half  pint.  In  the  later  stage  of  the  disease 
substitute  the  following  formula,  which  maybe  given  twice  daily:  Car- 
bonate of  ammonium,  3  drams;  solution  of  the  hydrochlorate  of  strych- 
nine, 2  fluid  drams;  spirits  of  nitrous  ether,  1  fluid  ounce:  water,  one- 
half  pint. 

In  some  cases  the  following  is  preferable  to  either  of  the  above,  and 
may  be  given  in  a  pint  of  linseed  tea  every  four  hours:  Spirits  aether, 
nit.,  H  ounces;  spirits  ammon.  arom.,  2  ounces;  camphor,  powdered.  2 
drams.  The  food  should  be  light  and  nutritious. 

Bronchitis  is  liable  to  assume  a  chronic  form  if  not  properly  treated 
in  the  earliest  stage.  Kemedial  treatment  is  of  little  value  when  the 
disease  becomes  chronic. 

PLEURISY. 

Pleurisy  is  an  inflammation  of  the  serous  membrane  lining  the  chest 
cavity  and  enveloping -the  lungs.  It  rarely  occurs  as  an  independent 
disease,  but  is  generally  complicated  with  pneumonia.  It  may  be  cir- 
cumscribed or  diffused,  unilateral  or  double.  It  arises  from  exposure 
to  cold  and  wet,  as  with  pneumonia  and  bronchitis.  It  occasionally  is 
caused  by  a  penetrating  wound. 

Symptoms. — In  the  first  stage  there  is  great  pain,  due  to  the  dry  and 
inflamed  surfaces  of  the  pleura  rubbing  together.  This  gives  rise  to 
the  friction  murmur.  The  temperature  ranges  from  104°  to  105°  F. 
The  pulse  is  small,  quick,  frequent,  and  hard.  The  respirations  are 
abdominal,  the  breath  being  taken  in  short  jerking  inspirations  and 
emitted  in  long  expirations.  The  cough  is  sharp,  suppressed,  and 
painful.  Pressure  in  the  intercostal  spaces  give  rise  to  pain,  the  ani- 
mal flinching  and  giving  a  grunt.-  The  muzzle  is  dry  and  hot,  the  mouth 
slimy  and  secretions  scant.  The  symptoms  increase  in  severity  as  the 
disease  advances,  and  in  the  second  stage  effusions  are  poured  out  into 
the  thoracic  cavity.  The  pulse  becomes  soft  and  remains  frequent  and 
small.  The  elbows  are  turned  out  and  the  animal  has  a  diagnostic 
grunt.  On  percussion  a  dull  sound  is  observed  as  high  up  as  the  fluid 
has  risen  in  the  chest,  and  on  auscultation  there  is  an  absence  of  all 
respiratory  murmur  below  this  line. 


NOXCOXTAGIOUS  DISEASES  OF  THE  OBGAXS  OF  RESPIRATION.       107 

Treatment. — Give  the  same  general  care  as  recommended  iu  bron- 
chitis or  pneumonia.  In  the  early  stages  give  a  febrifuge  to  reduce  the 
fever,  as  directed  for  pneumonia.  For  relief  of  the  cough  give  electuary 
formula,  which  will  be  found  in  the  treatment  of  laryngitis.  The  bowels 
must  be  kept  relaxed  and  the  kidneys  secreting  freely.  In  the  stage  of 
effusion  give  the  following  three  times  daily :  Digitalis  tinct.,  1  ounce : 
iodide  of  potassium,  30  to  60  grains  j  mix.  Apply  strong  counterirritant 
to  chest  and  put  setou  in  dewlap.  (See  Setouing,  p.  308.)  If  collapse 
of  the  lung  is  threatened  a  surgical  operation  is  sometimes  performed, 
termed  paracentesis  thoracis.  which  consists  in  puncturing  the  chest 
cavity  and  drawing  off  a  part  of  the  fluid.  The  instruments  used 
a  iv  a  small  trocar  and  cannla,  which  are  introduced  between  the  eighth 
and  ninth  ribs.  Draw  the  skin  forward  so  that  the  external  wound 
may  not  correspond  with  the  puncture  of  the  chest,  to  prevent  the  en- 
trance of  air.  Only  a  portion  of  the  fluid  should  be  removed.  The 
animal  gets  immediate  relief,  but  it  is  generally  only  temporary,  as 
there  is  a  tendency  for  the  fluid  to  accumulate  again. 

FMKUXOHIA. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  lung  substance.  It  is  divided  into  three 
diftVrent  forms,  viz:  First,  croupousj  second,  eatarrlial;  and  third,  in- 
itial pneumonia.  But  these  various  forms  can  only  be  differen- 
tiated by  the  expert,  and  I  therefore  deein  it  necessary  for  the  purposes 
of  the  present  work  to  treat  the  subject  under  the  general  head  of 
pneumonia. 

The  causes  of  pneumonia  in  general  are  the  same  as  those  of  the 
various  other  inflammatory  diseases  of  the  respiratory  tract.  It  mostly 
follows  congestion  of  the  lungs,  but  may  in  rare  cases  have  a  parasitic 
origin. 

Symptoms. — In  the  first  stage,  that  of  congestion,  the  disease  is 
usually  ushered  in  by  a  chill,  although  this  may  not  always  be  observed 
Ity  the  attendant.  This  is  followed  by  an  elevation  of  temperature, 
usually  105°  to  106°  F.,  or  it  may  be  even  higher.  The  respirations  are 
•  iuick  and  shallow;  the  nostrils  are  dilated;  the  pulse  is  full  and  hard. 
< 'oiigh  may  or  may  not  appear  in  this  stage.  The  nose  is  hot  and  dry; 
the  tongue  sometimes  protrudes  and  is  slimy:  the  coat  is  staring,  and 
the  .-Kin  dry  and  harsh.  The  urine  is  usually  diminished  in  quantity, 
high  colored,  and  the  bowels  constipated.  The  animal  stands  with  the 
lore-legs  wide  apart  to  facilitate  respiration.  On  auscultation  crepita- 
tion will  be  observed  over  the  portion  of  the  lung  affected.  The  sounds 
elicited  on  percussion  are  practically  normal  in  this  stage. 

In  the  second  stage  the  temperature  generally  drops  one  or  two  de- 

S  and  respiration  is  j>erformed  with  much  difficulty.    The  cough  is 

tie<|iicntand  painful.     The  animal  still  stands  with  the  forelegs  wide 

apart  and  the  elbows  turned  outwards.     If  it  assumes  the  reonml>ent 

position  it  rests  ou  the  sternum.     All  *«><>retions  are  more  or  less  BUS- 


108  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

peiided,  particularly  the  milk  in  cows.  The  animal  has  a  haggard 
appearance,  and  the  pulse  becomes  small  and  wiry  at  this  period.  The 
extremities  are  hot  and  cold  alternately;  the  crepitation  which  was 
present  in  the  first  stage  is  now  absent,  and  no  sound  on  auscultation 
will  be  heard,  except  it  be  a  slight  wheezing  or  whistling  noise.  On 
percussion  dullness  over  the  diseased  lung  is  manifested,  indicating 
consolidation.  The  lung  has  now  assumed  a  characteristic  liver-like 
appearance. 

In  the  third  stage,  if  the  disease  is  going  to  terminate  favorably,  the 
cough  becomes  loose;  the  animal  improves;  the  appetite  returns,  and 
the  symptoms  above  detailed  rapidly  subside.  But  if,  on  the  other 
hand,  resolution  is  not  progressing,  the  lung  substance  is  broken  down, 
is  heavy,  and  will  sink  in  water.  In  fatal  cases  the  breath  has  a  pecu- 
liar fetid,  cadaverous  odor,  and  is  taken  in  short  gasps;  the  horns, 
ears,  and  extremities  become  cold  and  clammy,  and  the  pulse  is  imper- 
ceptible. On  auscultation,  when  suppuration  is  taking  place  and  the 
lung  structure  is  breaking  down,  a  bubbling  or  gurgling  crepitation, 
caused  by  the  passage  of  air  through  pus,  will  be  heard. 

Treatment. — Good  hygienic  surroundings  and  good  nursing  are  essen- 
tial in  connection  with  the  medical  treatment.  The  probability  of  cure 
depends  largely  on  the  extent  of  the  lung  tissue  involved,  as  well  as  on 
the  intensity  of  the  inflammatory  process.  In  the  early  stage,  when 
the  fever  is  high,  give  febrifuges.  If  the  pulse  be  strong  and  full, 
aconite  (Fleming's  tincture,  2  to  5  minims  every  four  or  five  hours) 
may  be  given  for  a  short  time,  but  should  be  discontinued  as  soon  as 
the  fever  begins  to  abate.  Aconite  is  a  valuable  drug  in  the  hands  of 
the  intelligent  practitioner,  but  my  experience  leads  me  to  believe  that 
not  infrequently  animals  are  lost  by  its  injudicious  use.  For  in  many 
febrile  conditions  it  is  positively  contraindicated,  owing  to  its  action 
upon  the  heart.  In  a  plethoric  animal,  with  a  strong  bounding  pulse, 
bleeding  may  be  resorted  to  instead  of  administering  aconite.  If  the 
bowels  are  constipated  give  calomel,  one  to  three  drams,  which  acts  as 
a  cathartic  and  a  febrifuge.  In  the  second  stage  diffusible  stimulants 
are  required,  viz:  Spirits  of  ether  nit.,  2  ounces;  spirits  ammonia 
aromatic,  1  ounce.  Mix  and  give  in  gruel  three  times  daily.  If  the 
above  is  not  at  hand  give  an  alcoholic  stimulant.  Half  a  pint  of  brandy 
or  whisky  may  be  given  in  a  quart  of  gruel  three  times  daily.  In  some 
cases  carbonate  of  ammonia,  2  to  5  drams,  has  been  found  beneficial. 
Moat  practitioners  apply  counterimtants  externally,  such  as  mustard 
plasters,  turpentine,  and  ammonia  liniment,  or  cantharides. 

EMPHYSEMA — HEAVES.       . 

Emphysema  consists  of  a  rupture  of  the  minute  air  vesicles  of  the 
lung  substance,  and  maybe  either  inter-lobular  or  vesicular.  There 
is  an  extreme  interference  with  respiration,  inspiration  being  short  and 
expiration  prolonged.  It  is  a  nonfebrile  condition,  in  which  the  appe- 


NONG'ONTAGIOUS  DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  OF  RESPIRATION.      109 

tite  is  not  decreased  and  the  milk  secretion  is  kept  up.  It  may  be 
caused  by  an  attack  of  asthma,  or  may  result  from  chronic  bronchitis. 
The  disease  can  be  diagnosed  by  the  marked  interference  with  respira- 
tion. The  animal,  as  a  rule,  is  emaciated,  has  a  staring  coat,  and  is 
hidebound.  If  percussion  is  resorted  to,  the  animal's  chest  will  give 
a  tympanic,  drum-like  sound.  The  normal  resonant  sound  is  exagger- 
ated. 

Treatment. — The  disease  is  incurable,  and  only  a  palliative  form  of 
treatment  can  be  carried  out.  The  destruction  of  the  animal  is  often 
advisable,  from  a  humane  as  well  as  from  a  financial  point  of  view. 

IMLMONARY   CONGESTION. 

Cattle  that  are  overdriven  or  overworked  are  liable  to  pulmonary 
congestion  in  an  acute  form,  and  sometimes  pulmonary  apoplexy.  In 
such  cases  the  animal  should  be  allowed  to  rest,  and  if  the  weather  be 
hot  put  in  a  shady  place.  Give  stimulants  internally,  and  apply  stim- 
ulating applications  to  the  legs,  and  bandage. 

HEMOPTYSIS. 

This  is  a  term  used  to  signify  bleeding  from  the  lungs.  The  trouble 
may  result  from  a  previous  congestion  of  the  lungs,  or  from  a  breaking 
down  of  the  lung  substance,  or  from  specific  disorders. 

Bleeding  from  the  lungs  comes  from  both  nostrils  and  from  the  mouth. 
The  blood  is  bright  red,  frothy,  and  accompanied  by  a  cough,  the  flow 
being  somewhat  profuse  and  intermingled  with  mucus.  It  may  cease 
<>f  its  own  accord.  Internally  haemostatics  are  indicated,  and  locally  over 
the  sides  cold  applications  have  a  tendency  to  check  the  hemorrhage. 
( '•  ive  tin-  animal  a  drench  composed  of  1£  drams  of  gallic  acid  dissolved 
in  a  pint  of  water. 

ABSCESS  OF  THE   LUNG. 

An  abscess  of  the  lung  sometimes  forms  during  the  course  of  or  sub- 
sequent to  certain  pulmonary  diseases.  An  animal  affected  with  abscess 
of  the  lung  usually  has  a  protracted,  feeble  cough,  and  a  general  appcar- 
i'.iisc  of  emaciation  and  antenna.  The  pulse  is  feeble  and  the  breath 
foul.  An  offensive  discharge  from  the  lungs  frequently  occurs.  Per- 
ion  and  auscultation  will  aid  in  making  a  diagnosis  in  this  condi- 
tion. The  appetite  is  poor.  Such  animals  go  from  bad  to  worse,  and 
their  prompt  destruction  would,  as  a  rule,  be  to  the  interest  of  the 
owner. 

HYDUOTHORAX. 

IlydiDthorax,  or  dropsy  of  the  chest,  is  not  a  disease  in  itself,  but  is 
simply  a  condition  where  an  effusion  takes  place  in  the  chest  cavity, 
and  is  the  result  or  effect  of  some  disease',  mostly  pleurisy.  This  con- 


110  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

dition  can  be  easily  diagnosed  by  physical  signs.  A  loss  of  the  respi- 
ratory murmur  \vill  be  noticed  on  auscultation,  and  on  percussion  dull- 
ness or  flatness  on  a  line  as  high  as  the  effusion  has  taken  place. 
When  there  is  a  large  amount  of  effusion  present,  tapping  with  the 
trocar  and  canula  is  generally  resorted  to.  The  proper  method  of  per- 
forming this  operation  will  be  found  uuker  the  head  of  Pleurisy. 

PNEUMOTHORAX. 

Aii  accumulation  of  gas  in  the  pleural  sac  is  known  as  pneumothorax. 
The  presence  of  air  may  either  result  from  an  injury  of  the  lung  or  a 
wound  communicating  from  the  exterior.  The  indications  for  treat- 
ment are  to  exclude  the  further  entrance  ,of  the  air  into  the  cavity  by 
the  closure  of  the  external  opening.  The  air  already  in  the  cavity  will 
in  most  cases  be  absorbed. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  NERVOUS  SYSTEM. 


By  W.  H.  HARBAUGH,  V.  S.,  Richmond,  Va. 


lu  a  work  of  this  kind  anything  approaching  a  detailed  description 
of  the  anatomy  and  physiology  of  this  subject  is  simply  out  of  the 
qu< -stion,  as  the  space  it  would  require  forbids  the  attempt;  but  a  few 
of  the  important  points  will  be  noticed  so  that  what  follows  will  be 
better  understood. 

The  nervous  system  is  the  distinguishing  feature  of  animal  life;  with- 
out it  there  can  be  no  intelligence,  no  instinct,  no  sensibility,  no  per- 
ception :  in  fact,  existence  would  be  nothing  more  than  vegetable  life. 

The  senses — touch,  taste,  sight,  hearing,  smell — all  depend  on  the 
nervous  system.  Motion  depends  on  it.  A  muscle  can  not  contract 
without  receiving  the  stimulus  from  the  nervous  system.  For  example, 
if  a  nerve  passing  from  a  nerve  center  to  a  muscle  is  severed,  the  par- 
ticular muscle  that  is  supplied  by  the  cut  nerve  is  paralyzed. 

In  the  living  animal  the  muscle  is  the  power;  but  without  the  stimu- 
lus it  receives  from  the  nerves  it  is  powerless.  The  muscle  and  the 
nerve,  in  their  relationship,  may  be  compared  to  the  powder  and  the 
match  in  a  blast.  The  hole  drilled  into  the  rock  may  be  packed  with 
j:i;tut  powder,  the  fuse  maybe  in  readiness,  but  the  powder  can  not 
rend  the  rock  unless  the  match  is  applied  to  the  fuse.  The  nervous 
M  >tem  originates  and  conveys  the  stimulus  or  impulse  which  excites 
the  muscle.  The  contraction  of  the  muscle  is  the  source  of  movement. 

lu  the  description  of  the  blood  it  is  stated  that  all  nutrition  and 
all  vitality  depend  on  the  blood  and,  although  the  nervous  matter 
receives  its  nutrition  from  the  blood,  the  blood  is  only  capable  of 
fulfilling  its  proper  functions  by  the  aid  of  the  nervous  system 
Without  nervous  stimulus  the  heart  can  not  beat.  All  the  other  systems 
in  the  body  are  excited  and  regulated  by  the  nervous  system. 

The  nervous  system,  for  various  reasons,  is  studied  in  two  divisions, 
but  it  must  be  Inmie  in  mind  that  the  two  divisions  are  closely  con- 
nected one  with  the  other. 

The  cerfbro-nphial  diriftion  consist*  of  the  brain  and  spinal  cord, 
nerves,  and  ganglia.  The  nerves  of  this  division  convey  the  impulses 
of  motion  and  sensation,  and  supply  all  parts  which  arc  under  the  con* 

ill 


112  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

trol  of  the  will.  For  example,  the  voluntary  muscular  tissue  includes 
all  the  muscles  which  act  as  the  will  directs.  Another  example,  if 
anything  comes  in  contact  with  any  part  of  the  skin,  the  impression  is 
immediately  perceived.  All  the  special  senses  belong  to  this  division. 

The  sympathetic  division  consists  of  nerves  and  ganglia.  The  muscu- 
lar tissue  which  acts  independently  of  the  will,  as,  for  example,  the 
stomach,  intestines,  womb,  blood-vessels,  ducts,  etc.,  is  called  involun- 
tary muscular  tissue,  and  receives  nervous  stimulus  from  the  sympa- 
thetic division. 

The  brain,  spinal  cord,  and  the  ganglia  are  the  central  organs  of  the 
nervous  system.  The  nerves  conduct  the  nervous  influence.  The  nerves 
terminate  differently  according  to  their  function.  The  terminations  are 
called  end  organs.  The  terminal  end  organs  in  the  skin  and  other  parts 
endowed  with  sensation  receive  the  impressions, which  are  conveyed  to 
the  brain,  where  they  are  appreciated.  They  are  so  sensitive  that  the 
most  gentle  zephyr  is  perceived.  They  are  so  abundant  that  the  point 
of  the  finest  needle  can  not  pierce  the  skin  without  coming  in  contact 
with  them,  and  the  sensation  of  pain  is  instantly  conveyed  to  the  brain. 
The  terminal  end  organs  of  the  nerves  that  supply  the  muscles  are 
different,  as  they  give  the  impulse  which  is  conveyed  by  the  motor 
nerves  to  the  elements  which  constitute  the  muscle,  and  this  impulse  is 
the  excitation  which  causes  the  muscle  to  contract.  The  terminal  end 
organs  of  the  special  senses  of  taste,  smell,  etc.,  receive  their  respect- 
ive impressions,  and  their  respective  nerves  carry  the  impressions  to 
the  brain. 

There  are  two  divisions  of  nerves,  the  efferent  and  the  afferent. 

The  efferent  nerves  are  those  which  convey  the  nervous  impulse  out- 
ward from  the  nerve  centers,  and  they  are  further  classified  according 
to  the  function  of  their  respective  centers.  For  example :  Motor  fibers 
carry  the  impulse  from  the  nerve  center  to  a  muscle  to  cause  contrac- 
tion. Vaso-motor  fibers  carry  the  impulse  to  the  muscular  tissue  in 
the  blood  vessels,  which  regulates  their  caliber.  The  secretory  fibers 
convey  the  impulse  to  the  cells  of  the  glands,  and  excite  the  activity  of 
the  gland,  and  its  particular  product  is  secreted  or  evolved,  as  for  in- 
stance, milk  in  the  mammary  gland.  Inhibitory  fibers  control  or  inhibit 
the  action  of  the  organ  to  which  they  are  distributed,  as,  for  instance, 
the  heart. 

The  afferent  nerves  are  those  which  convey  the  impulse  to  the  nerve 
centers.  All  the  sensory  nerves  belong  to  this  division. 

Nerve  centers  may  be  considered  as  a  collection  or  group  of  nerve 
cells.  Both  the  cerebro-spinal  and  the  sympathetic  divisions  Lave  nerve 
centers.  The  centers  derive  their  special  names  from  their  functions. 
The  brain,  as  a  matter  of  course,  is  the  great  center  of  the  nervous  sys- 
tem, as  it  is  the  center  of  intelligence  and  perception.  The  centers  of 
all  the  special  senses,  as  well  as  the  centers  of  various  functions,  are 
located" in  different  parts  of  the  brain.  Nerve  centers  also  exist  in  the 


DISEASES   OF   THE  .NERVOUS   SYSTEM.  113 

spinal  cord,  and  in  connection  with  the  sympathetic  system.  Nerve 
centers  are  classed  as  the  automatic  and  the  reflex  centers,  but  these 
two  divisions  are  subdivided  again  according  to  the  function  of  each 
respective  center  of  either  of  the  great  divisions.  The  action  of  an 
automatic  center  occurs  independent  of  any  influence  external  to  the 
center  itself.  To  illustrate  the  action  of  the  reflex  centers,  the  familiar 
example  of  a  piece  of  food  accidentally  getting  into  the  larynx  (or  into 
the  windpipe,  as  it  is  popularly  termed)  may  be  considered.  Nature  has 
endowed  the  mucous  membrane — the  internal  surface — of  the  larynx  with 
the  most  exquisite  sensitiveness,  which  is  due  to  the  terminal  end  organs 
in  the  membrane  being  connected  by  means  of  their  sensory  nerves 
with  a  nerve  center.  No  sooner  does  the  particle  of  food  drop  into  tho 
larynx  than  the  terminal  end  organs  receive  the  extraordinary  irrita- 
tion it  causes,  and  the  impression  is  conveyed  by  the  fibers  of  the  sen- 
sory, or  afferent  nerve,  to  a  nerve  center  in  the  brain,  and  from  the  cen- 
ter the  nervous  impulse  is  sent  by  means  of  the  fibers  of  the  motor,  or 
efferent  nerves,  to  the  various  muscles,  the  contraction  of  which  causes 
the  forcible  expulsion  of  air  from  the  lungs,  which  dislodges  and  ejects 
from  the  larynx  the  offending  particle  of  food.  For  another  example 
the  sensation  of  pain  will  suffice.  If  a  finger  comes  in  contact  with  tire 
the  sensation  of  paiu  is  received  by  the  end  organs  of  the  sensory  fibers 
in  the  skin  of  the  finger,  and  conveyed  to  the  brain  by  the  seuscry  or 
afferent  fibers,  and  there  is  instantly  carried  by  the  motor  or  efferent 
fibers  to  the  muscles  of  the  arm  the  impulse  which  causes  the  muscles 
to  snatch  the  finger  from  the  fire. 

A  nerve  is  a  cord  consisting  of  a  certain  number  of  fibers,  inclosed  in 
a  sheath  of  connective  tissue.  This  sheath  contains  the  blood-vessels 
from  which  the  nerve  derives  its  nutrition.  Large  nerves  are  composed 
of  bundles  of  smaller  ones,  each  of  the  smaller  contained  in  its  respective 
sheath.  Nerves  divide  and  subdivide,  sending  off  branches,  which 
ramify  in  all  parts  of  the  body,  and,  as  they  near  their  terminations, 
they  contain  but  one  or  two  fibers. 

Nerves  are  the  conductors  of  the  nerve  current,  or  impulse. 

The  brain  and  ftpinal  cord  are  contained  within  a  bony  canal,  which 
forms  a  protective  covering  for  them. 

The  spinal  column  consists  of  a  number  of  bones,  especially  articulated 
or  joined  one  to  the  other,  extending  from  the  head  to  the  tail.  Through 
each  one  of  these  bones  the  spinal  canal  is  continued. 

The  spinal  cord,  or  spinal  marrow,  lodged  within  the  spinal  canal,  is 
continuous  with  the  brain  anteriorly,  and  terminates  in  a  point  in  the 
sacrum  (that  part  of  the  spinal  column  which  immediately  precedes  the 
tail).  The  spinal  cord  is  not  of  uniform  size,  it  being  considerably  larger 
at  the  part  covered  by  the  last  two  bones  of  the  neek  and  the  first  two 
bones  of  the  back  than  it  is  immediately  before  or  after  this  enlarge- 
ment. It  is  again  enlarged  at  the  part  covered  by  the  bones  in  the 
region  of  the  loins. 


114  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

Along  its  entire  length  run  two  fissures,  one  above  and  the  other  be- 
low, exactly  in  the  middle  line,  nearly  dividing  the  cord  in  two  lateral 
halves.  The  cord  is  white  externally  and  gray  internally.  Between 
each  two  of  the  bones  forming  the  spinal  column  the  cord  gives  off  a 
pair  of  nerves,  one  nerve  emerging  from  either  side  of  the  column.  These 
nerves  (the  spinal  nerve)  arise  from  the  cord  by  two  roots;  the  superior 
root  contains  sensory  fibers,  and  the  inferior  root  gives  the  motor 
fibers.  The  union  of  these  roots  forms  a  common  nerve,  which  soon 
divides  into  two  branches,  containing  motor  and  sensory  fibers;  the 
superior  branch  to  supply  the  muscles  and  skin  above,  and  the  inferior 
branch  to  supply  the  parts  below,  including  fibers  to  form  the  sympa- 
thetic division.  The  spinal  cord  conducts  nervous  impressions  to  the 
brain  and  impulses  from  the  brain,  and  is  therefore  a  conductor  of 
both  afferent  and  efferent  currents.  It  also  contains  nerve  centers,  both 
reflex  and  automatic. 

The  fibers  that  convey  motor  impulses  decussate  or  cross  from  one 
side  tt>  the  other  in  the  part  of  the  brain  called  the  medulla  oblongata; 
therefore  a  motor  impulse  going  from  the  right  side  of  the  brain  crosses 
over  to  the  left  side  in  the  medulla  oblvngata  and  is  carried  down  the 
left  side  of  the  spinal  cord ;  and  in  like  manner,  a  motor  impulse  from 
the  left  side  of  the  brain  is  carried  down  the  right  side  of  the  spinal 
cord. 

The  nerves  that  convey  sensory  impressions  go  immediately  to  the 
opposite  side  of  the  spinal  cord ;  therefore,  an  impression  of  pain  re- 
ceived on  the  left  hind  leg,  or  any  part  of  the  left  side  of  the  body,  is 
conveyed  by  the  sensory  nerve  fibers  to  the  spinal  cord  and  passes  over 
to  the  right  side,  and  is  conveyed  to  the  brain  by  fibers  on  the  right 
side  of  the  spinal  cord.  Thus  it  follows  that  if  a  lateral  half  of  the 
spinal  cord  be  cut.  all  parts  posterior  to  the  cut  on  the  same  side  will 
be  paralyzed,  and  ail  parts  on  the  side  opposite  to  the  cut  will  be  de- 
prived of  sensation. 

The  weight  of  the  spinal  cord  in  a  cow  of  average  size  is  estimated 
to  be  7 1  ounces.  The  spinal  canal  is  continuous  anteriorly  with  the 
cranial  cavity. 

The  cranial  cavity,  formed  by  bones  of  the  head,  is  irregular  in  shape, 
and  contains  the  brain  or  encephalon. 

The  brain  is  continuous  with  the  spinal  cord;  there  is  nothing  to 
mark  the  place  where  one  leaves  off  and  the  other  begins.  Looking  at 
the  external  surface  of  the  brain,  on  its  superior  aspect,  the  larger 
mass— the  cerebrum — is  seen  to  be  divided  by  a  longitudinal  fissure  in 
the  median  line  into  two  equal  parts,  called  the  cerebral  hemispheres, 
behind  which  is  a  smaller  mass  called  the  cerebellum,  resting  on  the 
part  called  the  medulla  oblongata,  which  is  continuous  with  the  spinal 
cord.  On  the  under  surface  of  the  brain,  between  the  medulla  oblongata 
and  the  cerebral  hemispheres,  there  is  a  prominent  part  called  the_po«* 
Varolii,  which  consists  of  transverse  fibers  running  across  from  one 


DISEASES    OF    THE    NEBVOUS    SYSTEM.  115 

side  of  the  cerebellum  to  the  other.  Anterior  to  the  pons  Varolii  are 
two  white  bundles — the  crura  cerebri.  Their  continuation  with  the 
medulla  •  oblongata  is  covered  by  the  pons  Varolii;  anteriorly  they  run 
"i  1 1 1<  >  the  cerebral  hemispheres.  At  th  e  anterior  part  of  the  fissure  which 
separates  the  crura  cerebri  is  the  pituitary  gland  and  the  tuber  cincrcum. 
From  the  under  surface  of  each  of  the  cerebral  hemispheres  proceeds 
anteriorly  an  appendage  called  the  olfactory  lobe. 

The  arrangement  of  the  gray  and  white  substances  of  the  brain  is,  to 
a  great  extent,  the  reverse  of  that  of  the  spinal  cord,  the  gray  being 
external  and  the  white  internal,  except  as  regards  the  medulla  ob- 
longata. in  which  the  gray  matter  forms  centers  in  its  substance. 

The  average  weight  of  the  .brain  in  cattle  as  compared  to  the  weight 
of  the  entire  body,  is  estimated  as  1  to  860;  or,  in  other  words,  if  the 
weight  of  the  animal  be  860  pounds,  the  weight  of  the  brain  will  be  1 
pound. 

The  cranial  nerves  are  given  oft*  by  the  brain;  they  are  in  pairs,  as 
follows:  (1)  Olfactory — the  nerves  of  the  special  sense  of  smell.  (2) 
Optic — the  nerves  of  the  special  sense  of  sight.  (3)  Oculo-motor — sup- 
ply impulse  to  all  the  muscles  which  move  the  eyeball,  except  three. 
(4)  Pathetic! — motor  nerve  to  the  muscle  which  rotates  the  eyeball  in- 
ward and  upward.  (5)  Trifacial — nerves  of  various  functions.  They 
are  in  three  divisions  and  each  division  has  numerous  branches.  The 
ophthalmic  division  supplies  sensation  to  the  eye  and  forehead.  The 
superior  maxillary  division  supplies  sensation  to  the  skin  of  the  face,  to 
tin-  membrane  within  the  nose,  and  gives  to  the  teeth  in  the  upper  jaw 
tin-ir  M-ii^itiwui-^.  Tin-  in'--i  i»r  in  t\ill,i!y  «!ivi>ion  supplies  BensatUH 
to  the  teeth  in  the  lower  jaw,  to  the  tongue,  mouth,  and  the  skin  over 
the  lower  jaw.  Some  of  the  fibers  of  this  pair  aid  in  supplying  the  spe- 
rm I  sense  of  taste.  This  pair  also  supplies  motor  fibers  to  the  muscles 
which  move  the  jaw  in  the  act  of  mastication.  (6)  Abducentes — motor 
nerve  to  the  muscle  which  turns  the  eyeball  outward.  (7)  Facial — sup- 
plies motor  impulses  to  various  muscles  about  the  head.  (8)  Auditory— 
the  nerves  of  the  special  sense  of  hearing.  (9)  Glosso-pharyngeal — 
contains  motor  and  sensory  fibers  to  the  tongue  and  pharynx.  It  also 
supplies  fibers  to  aid  in  the  special  sense  of  taste.  (10)  Piuuimogjvs- 
tric — sends  fibers  to  the  pharynx,  larynx,  trachea,  bronchi,  lungs,  eso- 
phagus, stomach,  heart,  and  many  other  parts.  Its  functions  are 
numerous  and  important,  being  both  motor  and  sensory.  A  branch 
gives  to  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  larynx  its  extraordinary  sensi- 
tiveness, while  another  branch  supplies  motor  impulse  to  the  muscles 
of  the  larynx.  Another  branch  is  the  inhibitory  nerve  of  the  heart. 
Other  branches  are,  thought  to  participate  in  exciting  the  production  of 
the  gastric  juice  and  the  bile.  The  pncumogastric  is  connected  at  dif- 
ferent parts  with  the  sympathetic  division.  (11)  Spinal  accessory— 
motor  nerves,  accessory  to  the  pneumogostric.  (12)  Hypoglossal — motor 
nerves  of  the  tonjnie,  and  some  fibers  to  a  few  other  muscles. 


116  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

The  foregoing  revifew  of  the  cranial  nerves  and  their  functions,  brief 
as  it  is,  will  give  a  superficial  idea  of  the  uses  of  the  nervous  system 
and  the  magnitude  of  its  importance. 

The  meninges  are  the  membranes,  three  in  number,  which  envelop 
the  brain  and  spinal  cord,  and  separate  them  from  the  bones  which 
form  the  walls  of  the  cranial  cavity  and  spinal  canal.  These  mem- 
branes are  called  the  dura  mater,  external;  the  arachnoid,  middle; 
and  the  pia  mater,  internal. 

The  dura  mater  is  composed  of  very  strong  and  dense  tissue.  By  its 
external  surface  it  adheres  more  or  less  closely  to  the  bones  which  form 
the  walls  of  the  cranial  cavity  and  is  continued  throughout  the  whole 
length  of  the  spinal  canal,  but  does  not  adhere  to  the  bones  of  the 
spinal  canal  to  the  same  extent  as  in  the  cranial  cavity. 

The  arachnoid  is  a  serous  membrane,  and,  like  all  serous  membranes, 
has  two  layers,  which  form  a  closed  sack.  The  external  layer  is  in  con- 
tact with  the  dura  mater,  and  the  internal  layer  is  in  contact  with  the 
pia  mater.  The  inner  surfaces  of  the  arachnoid  (the  interior  of  the 
sack)  are  in  contact,  and  are  kept  moist  by  the  exudation  of  serum.  In 
the  cranial  cavity  the  external  layer  is  not  closely  attached  to  the  dura 
mater,  but  in  the  spinal  canal  they  are  closely  united. 

The  pia  mater,  which  is  in  direct  contact  with  the  brain  and  spinal 
cord,  is  a  very  thin,  delicate  membrane,  having  in  its  structure  many 
blood  vessels  and  small  nerves.  This  membrane,  being  intimately  at- 
tached to  the  nervous  matter  of  the  brain  and  spinal  cord,  follows  all 
the  convolutions,  dipping  down  into  the  various  fissures  and  inequalities. 
The  arachnoid  does  not  dip  into  the  inequalities,  and  consequently 
spaces  are  left  between  it  and  the  pia  mater.  These  spaces  are  filled 
with  a  fluid  called  the  subarachnoid  fluid,  in  which  the  brain  and  spinal 
cord  may  be  said  to  be  immersed.  This  fluid  is  of  vast  importance, 
in  so  far  as  it,  to  a  great  extent,  prevents  concussion  to  the  nervous 
matter  of  the  brain  and  cord. 

The  sympathetic,  also  called  the  ganglionic,  division  of  the  nervous 
system  consists  of  two  chains  of  ganglia,  reaching  from  the  head  to 
the  tail,  situated  beneath  the  spinal  column,  one  on  either  side.  The 
presence  of  the  ganglia  or  enlargements  on  the  cords  give  them  their 
chain-like  appearance. 

As  previously  remarked,  the  sympathetic  nerves  are  closely  connected 
with  the  cerebro-spinal  nerves.  In  fact,  the  center  for  the  sympathetic 
system  is  located  in  that  part  of  the  brain  called  the  medulla  oblongata, 
but  the  sympathetic  nerves  are  not  under  the  control  of  the  will. 
Afferent  nerves  come  from  the  cerebro-spinal  system,  as  pointed  out 
when  describing  the  spinal  nerves.  Efferent  nerves  go  from  the  ganglia 
(or  nerve  centers)  to  all  the  blood  vessels,  various  organs  in  the  neck, 
chest,  abdomen,  etc.  The  ganglia  belonging  to  the  sympathetic  system 
are  numerous,  and  it  is  thought  by  some  physiologists  that  they  par- 
ticipate in  both  automatic  and  reflex  acts. 


DISEASES   OF   THE   NERVOUS   SYSTEM.  117 

ENCEPHALITIS — STAGGERS. 

Inflammation  of  the  brain  and  its  membranes  is  technically  termed 
encephalitis,  but  owing  to  various  symptoms,  which  no  doubt  depend 
much  on  the  particular  part  affected,  the  disease  is  known  by  different 
names,  such  as  staggers,  stomach  staggers,  mad  staggers,  sleepy  stag- 
gers, coma,  frenzy,  etc. 

Inflammation  of  the  nervous  matter  comprising  the  brain,  without  in- 
volving the  membranes,  is  a  rare  disease  in  cattle,  so  much  so  that  few 
authorities  notice  it  as  a  distinct  affection,  and  then  only  to  point  out 
the  fact  that  it  is  discovered  by  post-mortem  examination.  There  are 
no  symptoms  exhibited  by  which  it  may  be  positively  distinguished 
from  encephalitis — the  disease  involving  the  membranes  as  well  as  the 
brain — and  therefore  it  will  be  included  in  this  description. 

Causes. — Severe  blows  on  the  head  with  a  hard  object,  or  the  head 
coming  violently  in  contact  with  the  ground  or  other  hard  substance 
in  a  fall,  may  be  followed  by  encephalitis.  Irritation  caused  by  tumors 
in  the  brain  may  produce  inflammation.  Food  containing  deleterious 
matters,  for  example,  ergot  (see  Plate  V)  and  other  fungi  which  con- 
tain a  narcotic  principle,  is  the  most  frequent  cause  of  this  affection, 
and  hence  it  is  often  called  "  grass  staggers  "  and  "  stomach  staggers." 
In  many  localities  certain  plants  have  the  reputation  of  causing  stag- 
gers. As,  for  instance,  u  Elliott's  Botany  of  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia,"  edition  of  1821,  says :  u  Atamasco — stagger- grass.  Gener- 
ally supposed  to  be  poisonous  to  cattle  and  produces  the  disease  in 
calves  called  staggers."  The  writer  "can  not  say  that  this  particular 
plant  (Atamasco  Lily — Amaryllis  atainasco,  L.)  produces  the  disease, 
but  he  quotes  the  supposition  to  add  strength  to  the  point  that  it  is 
generally  believed  that  certain  plants  do  cause  it.  European  authors 
<l«-M-ribe  a  variety  of  the  disease  "arising  from  the  consumption  of  the 
refuse  of  distilleries."  When  the  disease  is  not  caused  by  direct  vio- 
lence the  quality  of  the  food  should  be  suspected. 

fiymptoms. — The  symptoms  vary  much,  but  a  careful  observer  will 
detect  a  trouble  connected  with  the  nervous  system  without  much  un- 
certainty. The  first  signs  may  be  those  of  freii/y,  but  generally  at  the 
start  the  animal  is  dull  and  sleepy,  with  little  or  no  inclination  to 
move  about ;  the  head  may  be  pressed  against  the  wall  or  fence  and 
the.  legs  kept  moving,  as  if  the  animal  were  endeavoring  to  walk  through 
the  obstruction  ;  the  body,  especially  the  hind  part,  may  be  leaned 
against  the  side  of  the  stall  or  stable,  as  if  for  support.  The  bowels 
are  constipated  ;  the  urine,  when  passed,  is  small  in  quantity  ami 
darker  in  color  than  natural.  There  may  be  trembling  and  even 
spasms  of  muscles  in  different  parts.  In  the  dull  stage  the  animal  may 
breathe  less  frequently  than  natural,  ami  each  breath  may  be  accom- 
panied with  a  snoring  like  sound.  The  pulse  may  be  large  and  less  fre- 
quent than  normal.  If  suddenly  aroused  from  the  drowsy  state  the 


118  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

'•«  ;i>t  appears  startled  and  stares  wildly.  "When  moving  about  the  an- 
imal may  stagger,  the  hindquarters  swaying  from  side  to  side. 

When  the  delirium  ensues  the  cow  is  commonly  said  to  be  mad.  She 
may  bellow,  stamp  her  feet,  run  about  wildly,  grate  the  teeth,  froth  at 
the  mouth.  If  she  is  confined  in  the  stable,  she  rears  and  plunges; 
the  convulsions  are  so  violent  in  many  instances  that  it  is  really  dan- 
gerous for  one  to  attempt  to  render  aid.  The  body  may  be  covered 
with  perspiration.  She  may  fall;  the  muscles  twitch  and  jerk;  often 
the  head  is  raised  and  then  dashed  against  the  ground  until  blood 
issues  from  the  nose  and  mouth;  the  eyes  maybe  bloodshot  and  sight- 
less; the  limbs  stiff  and  outstretched,  or  they  may  be  kicked  about 
recklessly;  the  head  may  be  drawn  back  and  the  tail  drawn  up;  the 
urine  maybe  squirted  out  in  spurts;  often  the  "washer"  (membrane 
nic titans)  is  forced  over  the  eye.  When  the  convulsions  cease  they 
may  be  followed  by  a  period  of  quiet  unconsciousness — coma — which  is 
more  dr  less  prolonged,  when  the  animal  may  gradually  regain  con- 
sciousness, get  up  on  its  feet,  and  perhaps  quietly  partake  of  food,  if 
there  be  any  within  reach,  while  at  other  times  it  arises  with  much  dif- 
ficulty and  staggers  blindly  about  the  stall  or  field. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  all  the  foregoing  symptoms  are  not 
always  seen  in  the  same  case.  In  those  cases  usually  designated  sleepy 
staggers  the  general  symptoms  of  drowsiness  are  presented,  while  in 
other  cases  the  symptoms  of  frenzy  cause  the  affection  to  be  called  mad 
staggers.  In  other  cases,  when  the  spinal  cord  and  its  membranes  are 
more  or  less  involved,  there  are  symptoms  of  paralysis,  swaying  of  the 
hindquarters,  inability  to  rise,  etc. 

The  various  symptoms  increase  in  frequency  and  intensity  until  they 
end  in  death,  which  is  almost  invariably  <he  result  of  an  attack  of  en- 
cephalitis in  cattle. 

It  is  well  to  remark  that  when  the  disease  follows  injuries  to  the 
head,  the  symptoms  may  not  be  manifested  until  two  or  three  days  (or 
longer)  after  the  accident. 

Treatment. — For  reasons  which  are  obvious  from  the  description  of 
the  symptoms,  treatment  of  this  disease  is  anything  but  satisfactory. 
Recoveries  are  rare  in  spite  of  careful  scientific  attention,  even  in  those 
cases  which  are  under  the  most  favorable  circumstances.  To  be  of  any 
service  whatever  the  treatment  must  be  prompt  and  begin  with  the 
disease.  In  the  early  stage  the  pulse  is  large,  and  in  most  cases  will 
admit  of  bleeding.  Eight  or  nine  quarts  of  blood  should  be  taken  from 
the  jugular  vein.  This  should  be  followed  immediately  by  a  purgative, 
the  following,  for  a  cow  of  average  size:  Epsom  salts,  24  ounces;  pul- 
verized gamboge,  £  ounce;  croton  oil,  20  drops;  warm  water,  3  quarts. 
Mix  all  together  and  give  at  once,  as  a  drench. 

About  2  quarts  of  warm  water  or  warm  soapsuds  should  be  injected 
with  a  syringe  into  the  rectum  (last  gut)  every  three  or  four  hours.  It 
is  best  to  keep  the  animal  in  a  quiet,  sheltered  place,  where  it  will  be 


DISEASES    OF    THE    NERVOUS    SYSTEM.  119 

free  from  noise  or  other  cause  of  excitement.  All  the  cold  water  the 
animal  will  drink  should  be  allowed,  but  food  must  be  withheld,  except 
bran  slops  occasionally  in  small  quantities,  or  grass,  if  in  season,  which 
may  be  cut  and  carried  fresh  to  the  patient. 

During  the  convulsions  all  possible  efforts  should  be  made  to  prevent 
tin-  animal  injuring  itself;  the  head  should  be  held  down  on  the  ground 
and  straw  kept  under  it.  Cold  water  may  be  continuously  poured  on 
the  head,  or  bags  filled  with  ice  broken  in  small  pieces  may  be  applied 
to  the  head.  Different  authors  recommend  different  remedies  to  allay 
the  convulsions,  but  for  two  reasons  it  will  be  found  extremely  difficult 
to  administer  medicines  during  the  convulsions:  (1)  While  the  animal 
is  unconscious  the  j>ower  to  swallow  is  lost,  and  therefore  the  medicine 
is  uiore  liable  to  go  down  the  windpipe  to  the  lungs  than  it  is  to  go  to 
the  paunch.  (2)  The  convulsions  are  often  so  violent  that  it  would  be 
utterly  useless  to  attempt  to  drench  the  animal.  And  furthermore  it 
must  be  borne  in  mind  that  during  this  stage  the  functions  of  digestion 
and  absorption  are  suspended,  and  as  a  consequence  the  medicine  (pro- 
vided it  finds  its  way  to  the  paunch)  is  likely  to  remain  there  un ab- 
sorbed and  therefore  useless. 

A  blistering  compound,  composed  of  mustard,  1  ounce;  pulverized 
c MMtharides,  one-half  ounce;  hot  water,  4  ounces,  well  mixed  together, 
may  be  nibbed  in  over  the  loins,  along  the  spine,  and  back  of  the  head 
on  each  side  of  the  neck.  This  is  occasionally  attended  with  beneficial 
effect,  and  especially  so  in  those  cases  when  paralysis  is  present. 

If  the  purgative  acts,  and  the  animal  shows  signs  of  improvement  in 
th«-  course  of  two  or  three  days,  2  drams  of  iodide  of  potassium  may  be 
a  every  night  and  morning,  dissolved  in  a  half  bucketful  of  drink- 
ing water,  if  the  animal  will  drink  it,  or  it  may  be  dissolved  in  a  half 
pint  of  water  and  given  as  a  drench.  Great  care  must  be  observed  in 
regard  to  the  food,  which  should  be  nutritive  but  not  coarse,  and  at 
first  in  small  quantities,  gradually  increased  as  the  patient  improves. 
After  soiue  progress  is  made  towards  recovery  1£  drams  of  pulverized 
mix  vomica  may  be  given  twice  a  day.  added  to  the  iodide  of  potassium 
drench.  This  should  be  administered  so  long  as  a  staggering  gait  con- 
tinues. 

In  those  rare  caeea  when  recovery  takes  place,  it  is  only  partial  as  a 
rule,  as  there  is  generally  a  sequel  which  remains,  such  as  partial  pa- 
ralysis; however,  this  is  but  a  slight  drawback  in  cattle,  because  when 
it  is  seen  to  persist,  the  medicine  should  be  stopped  and  the  animal 
fattened  for  butchering. 

Postmortem  examinations  discover  congestion  of  the  brain  and  its 
membranes.  The  pin  mnlrr  (the  vascular  membrane)  is  most  congested. 
In  those  cases  which  have  exhibited  much  paralysis  before  death,  the 
pin  mater  of  the  cord  is  congested  in  the  lumbar  region  (loins).  When 
the  disease  has  been  causod  by  injury  to  the  head  tlie  congestion  and 
extmvasated  blood  may  bo  found  inside  of  th<>  ravitv  in  the  location 


120  DISEASES    OP   CATTLE. 

corresponding  to  the  place  where  the  injury  was  inflicted  externally. 
In  some  cases  pus  is  also  discovered.  It  remains  to  be  said  that  in  all 
animals  that  have  died  from  this  affection  the  lungs  are  found  very 
much  congested.  This  leads  the  nonprofessional  to  suppose  that  the 
disease  was  a  lung  affection,  but  in  fact  it  is  only  a  natural  consequence 
when  death  ensues  from  brain  disease. 

APOPLEXY. 

That  form  of  congestion  of  the  brain  known  as  parturient  apoplexy, 
which  is  so  frequently  associated  with  the  period  of  calving,  is  described 
in  another  part  of  this  work.  (See  Parturient  Apoplexy,  p.  2-47.) 

Cerebral  apoplexy,  not  connected  with  parturition,  is  a  rare  disease 
among  cattle.  However,  it  may  be  due  to  degeneration  and  consequent 
rupture  of  a  blood-vessel  in  the  brain ;  the  pressure  of  the  blood  which 
escapes  from  the  ruptured  vessel  upon  the  nervous  substance  causes 
the  alarming  symptoms. 

The  attack  is  sudden,  the  animal  in  most  cases  falling  as  if  hit  on  the 
head  with  an  ax.  Convulsions  similar  to  those  described  as  symptoms  of 
encephalitis  may  ensue,  or  the  unconsciousness  may  not  be  accompanied 
with  any  movements  of  the  head  or  limbs;  the  eyes  are  open  and 
blindly  staring,  the  mouth  frothy,  the  body  cold;  the  breathing  may  be 
loud  or  snoring,  the  pulse  frequent  and  small.  There  may  be  remis- 
sions in  the  severity  of  the  symptoms,  but  the  pressure  from  the  con- 
tinued escape  of  blood  soon  causes  death. 

There  is  described  a  form  of  congestive  apoplexy,  affecting  cattle 
which  are  in  a  plethoric  condition.  The  congestion,  or  superabundant 
quantity  of  blood  in  the  vessels  of  the  brain,  may  be  followed  by  rup- 
ture of  the  vessels.  It  is  said  to  occur  mostly  in  hot  weather.  In  this 
variety  the  symptoms  given  are  somewhat  similar  to  those  exhibited 
when  the  affection  is  due  to  degeneration  of  the  blood  vessels,  but 
not  so  violent;  the  animal  may  show  premonitory  signs,  such  as  dull- 
ness, staggering,  and  may  only  fall  to  the  knees,  the  muzzle  resting 
on  the  ground. 

In  such  cases  bleeding  should  be  resorted  to  immediately,  and  when 
the  power  of  swallowing  is  not  lost  purgatives  should  be  administered. 
Cold  applications  to  the  head,  and  the  general  treatment  recommended 
for  encephalitis  are  indicated. 

CONCUSSION   OF   THE   BRAIN. 

Severe  blows  on  the  head,  striking  the  head  against  some  hard  ob- 
ject while  running,  or  falling  on  the  head,  may  cause  concussion  of  the 
brain.  The  injury  may  fracture  bones  of  the  cranium  and  produce  com- 
pression of  the  brain. 

The  symptoms  vary  according  to  the  severity  of  the  concussion.  After 
receiving  the  injury  the  animal  may  lie  prostrate,  entirely  unconscious 


DISEASES    OF    THE    NERVOUS    SYSTEM.  121 

of  all  surroundings,  with  complete  loss  of  sensation  and  power;  how- 
ever, there  may  be  some  slight  convulsive  movements,  but  they  are 
without  any  effort  of  the  will. 

Death  may  quickly  follow  the  injury;  or,  if  the  injury  has  not  been 
very  serious,  recovery  may  take  place  in  a  comparatively  short  time;  or 
the  animal  may  linger  in  a  more  or  less  unconscious  state  for  a  consid- 
erable time,  or  there  may  be  a  partial  recovery  from  the  injury,  followed 
within  a  few  days  by  encephalitis. 

The  injury  which  produces  concussion  of  the  brain  may  at  the  same 
time  fracture  one  or  more  of  the  bones  of  the  cranium.  The  fracture 
may  be  simple — a  crack  in  the  bone  without  depression,  or  the  broken 
bone  may  be  depressed,  the  pressure  on  the  brain  substa-uce  constitut- 
ing compression  of  the  brain.  The  first  step  in  the  treatment  of  com- 
pression of  the  brain  from  the  latter  cause  is  to  elevate  the  depressed 
bone,  which  in  some  cases  may  be  done  with  a  thin  but  strong  piece  of 
steel,  like  a  knife  blade.  In  many  cases  it  is  necessary  to  remove  a 
portion  of  bone  with  a  trephine  in  order  to  be  able  to  raise  the  depressed 
part.  Such  cases  require  the  skill  of  an  expert  veterinarian,  but  un- 
less the  animal  is  a  yery  valuable  one  it  should  be  butchered  as  soon  as 
possible  after  the  accident,  and  not  allowed  to  linger  until  the  meat 
becomes  unfit  for  consumption. 

Compression  of  the  brain  may  result  from  an  injury  without  fracture 
of  a  bone.  A  blow  on  the  head  may  rupture  a  blood-vessel  within  the 
cranial  cavity,  and  the  blood  escaping  therefrom  (either  on  the  surface 
of  the  brain  or  into  the  structure  of  the  brain)  produces  compression 
of  the  brain  substance.  Or  the  injury  may  cause  inflammation,  the 
result  of  which  may  be  compression  due  to  the  formation  of  pus. 

Compression  from  the  escape  of  blood  may  be  suspected  when  the  in- 
sensibility continues.  But  when  due  to  the  formation  of  pus  the  animal 
partially  recovers,  and  after  three  or  four  days  have  elapsed  becomes 
again  unconscious. 

In  concussion  of  the  brain,  during  the  first  stage,  when  the  surface 
of  the  body  is  cold,  cover  the  body  and  legs  with  warm  blankets.  It  is 
useless  to  attempt  to  administer  medicines  while  the  animal  is  insensible 
and  can  not  swallow.  Cold  water  or  crushed  ice  should  bo  applied  to 
the  head,  and  when  consciousness  returns  the  purgative  drench  as  mi- 
vised  for  encephalitis  should  be  administered.  The  animal  should  be 
assisted  to  its  feet  and  put  in  a  comfortable  place,  free  from  light  and 
noise.  Only  small  quantities  of  food,  in  the  form  of  bran  slops  or  grass, 
should  be  given  for  some  time.  Bleeding  should  not  be  performed 
unless  the  case  runs  into  encephalitis,  when  the  general  treatment  ad- 
vised under  that  head  may  be  followed. 

EPILEPSY. 

This  affection  is  charav.teri/ed  by  the  onset  of  sudden  convulsions. 
The  animal  may  appear  to  be  in  a  fair  state  of  health,  ;\s  u  general 


122  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

thing,  but  at  any  time,  in  the  stable  or  in  the  field,  it  inay  have  an 
attack,  stagger,  fall,  and  violent  convulsions  ensue;  the  urine  and  dung 
may  be  voided  involuntarily  during  the  fit,  and  the  breathing  may  be  of 
that  snoring  description  called  stertorous.  Epilepsy  must  not  be  con- 
founded with  vertigo — the  fainting  which  is  an  effect  of  heart  troubles. 

The  exact  cause  or  causes  of  epilepsy  in  the  majority  of  cases  arc 
unknown.  Post-mortem  examinations,  in  many  instances,  have  failed 
to  discover  any  lesion  in  connection  with  the  brain  or  nervous  system ; 
while  in  other  instances  disease  of  the  brain  has  been  found  in  the  form 
of  thickening  of  the  membranes,  abscesses  find  tumors;  and  in  some 
cases  the  affection  has  been  manifested  in  connection  with  a  diseased 
condition  of  the  blood.  The  cause  has  also  been  traced  to  reflex  irri- 
tation, due  to  teething,  worms,  and  chronic  indigestion. 

Treatment. — When  the  affection  is  due  to  the  last-named  causes 
treatment  may  be  successful  if  the  cause  is  removed.  If  there  are 
symptoms  of  worms  or  of  indigestion,  follow  the  general  treatment 
advised  for  those  troubles  under  their  proper  heads.  If  due  to  irrita- 
tation  caused  by  teething,  the  inflamed  gums  must  be  lanced.  Exami- 
nation of  the  mouth  often  develops  the  fact  that  one  of  the  temporary 
teeth  causes  much  irritation  by  remaining  unshed,  and  thereby  inter- 
fering with  the  growth  of  a  permanent  tooth.  The  offending  tooth 
should  be  extracted.  When  the  cause  of  epilepsy  can  not  be  dis- 
covered, it  must  be  confessed  that  there  is  no  prospect  of  a  cure  in  such 
cases.  However,  some  benefit  may  be  expected  from  the  occasional 
administration  of  a  purgative  dose  of  medicine.  A  pound  of  Epsom 
salts  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  warm  water,  for  a  cow  of  average  size, 
may  be  given  as  a  drench  once  or  twice  a  month.  In  addition  to  the 
purgative,  4  drams  of  bromide  of  potassium,  dissolved  in  the  drinking 
water,  three  times  a  day,  has  proved  very  beneficial  in  some  cases. 

SUNSTROKE — PROSTRATION   FROM  HEAT. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  cattle  are  seldom  put  to  work  at  which  they 
would  have  to  undergo  severe  exertion,  especially  in  collars,  they  are 
not  frequently  prostrated  by  the  extreme  heat  of  the  summer  months. 
When  atpasture  they  select  the  coolest  places  in  the  shade  of  trees,  etc., 
when  the  heat  becomes  oppressive,  and  thereby  avoid,  as  much  as 
possible,  the  effects  of  it.  But  nevertheless  cases  are  not  uncommon 
when  cattle  suffer  from  the  so-called  sunstroke. 

Cattle  that  have  been  kept  up  for  the  purpose  of  fattening,  when 
driven  some  distance  in  very  hot  weather,  are  the  most  liable  to  be 
prostrated,  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  it  is  not  really  necessary 
for  the  animal  to  be  exposed  to  the  rays  of  the  sun,  as  those  confined 
in  hot,  close  places  may  suffer.  This  often  happens  in  shipping,  when 
they  are  crowded  together  in  cars. 

Symptoms. — The  premonitory  signs  are  those  of  exhaustion — dullness, 
panting,  frothing  at  the  mouth,  tongue  hanging  out,  irregular  gait,  un- 


DISEASES    OF   THE    NERVOUS    SYSTEM.  123 

easiness,  palpitation,  when,  if  the  circumstances  which  tend  to  the 
prostration  are  not  mitigated,  the  animal  staggers  or  sways  from  side  to 
side,  falls,  struggles  for  awhile,  and  then  gradually  becomes  quiet,  or 
the  struggles  may  continue,  vrith  repeated  but  ineffectual  efforts  to 
regain  a  standing  position.  In  serious  cases  the  attack  may  be  very 
sudden,  unconsciousness  occurring  without  any  distressing  premonitory 
symptoms.  The  less  serious  form  is  known  to  the  colored  cattle  drivers 
as  "  overhet "  (overheated). 

Treatment. — At  first,  when  not  very  serious,  removal  to  a  quiet 
sheltered  place,  witli  a  few  days  on  a  reduced  diet,  is  all  that  need  be 
done.  When  the  animal  has  fallen,  apply  cold  water  or  ice  to  the  head; 
rub  the  body  and  limbs  with  cloths  or  wisps  of  straw,  and  continue  the 
rubbing  for  a  considerable  time.  If  the  power  of  swallowing  is  not  lost 
(which  may  be  ascertained  by  pouring  a  little  cold  water  iuto  the 
mouth),  give  3  drams  of  liquor  ammonia  fort.,  diluted  with  a  quart  of 
cold  water.  Be  very  careful  in  drenching  the  animal  when  lying  down. 
Kepoat  the  drench  in  a  half  hour,  and  an  hour  after  the  first  one  has 
been  given.  Instead  of  the  ammonia,  a  drench  composed  of  3  ounces 
of  spirits  of  nitrous  ether  in  a  pint  of  water  may  be  given,  if  more  con- 
venient, but  in  all  cases  the  ammonia  drench  is  preferable.  If  uncon- 
sciousness continues,  so  that  a  drench  can  not  be  administered,  the 
same  quantity  of  ammonia  and  water  may  be  injected  with  a  syringe 
into  the  rectum.  The  popular  aqua  ammonia,  commonly  called  "  harts- 
horn," will  do  as  well  as  the  liquor  ammonia  fort.,  but  as  it  is  weaker 
than  tin-  hitter,  the  dose  for  a  cow  is  about  one  and  a  half  ounce,  which 
>hould  be  diluted  with  a  quart  of  water  before  it  is  given  to  the  animal, 
i  as  a  drench  or  an  enema.  When  ammonia  can  not  be  obtained 
quickly,  2  ounces  of  oil  of  turpentine  (spirits  of  turpentine),  shaken  with 
a  pint  of  milk,  may  be  injected  into  the  rectum,  and  will  act  beneficially 
until  the  ammonia  is  procured. 

As  soon  as  the  animal  is  able  to  rise,  it  should  be  assisted  and 
moved  to  the  nearest  shelter.  All  the  cold  water  it  will  drink  should  be 
allowed.  The  ammonia  or  spirits  of  nitrous  ether  drench  should  be 
administered  every  three  hours,  so  long  as  there  is  much  failure  of 
strength.  The  diet  should  be  limited  for  several  days;  bran  slops  and 
a  little  grass.  When  signs  of  returning  strength  are  presented,  12 
ounces  of  Epsom  salts  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  warm  water  may  be  given 
in  those  cases  which  have  been  down  and  unconscious,  but  do  not  give 
it  while  much  weakness  remains,  which  may  be  for  several  days  after 
the  attack.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  mention  that  when  an  animal  is 
suffering  from  heat  prostration,  bleeding  should  not  be  resorted  to  as 
a  remedial  measure.  The  writer  is  well  aware  of  the  fact  that  they  arc 
often  slaughtered  by  butchers  to  save  further  trouble  and  probable  loss. 

IN.TI'RIES   TO   THE   SPINAL   COH1>. 

The  spinal  cord  is  liable  to  commission  from  blows  and  falls,  and 
paralysis,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  may  be  the  result.  Fracture,  with 


124  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

displacement  of  the  bones  (vertebrae)  which  form  the  spinal  column, 
by  compressing  the  spinal  cord  produces  paralysis,  which  varies  in  its 
effect  according  to  the  part  of  the  cord  that  is  compressed.  If  the 
fracture  is  above  the  middle  of  the  neck  death  soon  follows,  as  commu- 
nication between  the  brain  and  diaphragm — the  essential  muscle  of 
inspiration — is  stopped.  The  phrenic  nerve,  which  supplies  the  dia- 
phragm with  motor  impulse,  is  formed  by  the  union  of  spinal  nerves 
below  the  middle  of  the  neck,  and  when  the  cord  is  compressed  between 
the  origin  of  this  nerve  and  the  brain  the  diaphragm  is  paralyzed  and 
death  must  result.  When  the  fracture  is  farther  down  in  the  neck, 
posterior  to  the  origin  of  the  phrenic  nerve,  the  breathing  continues, 
but  there  is  paralysis  in  all  parts  posterior  to  the  fracture,  including  the 
fore  and  hind  legs.  When«the  fracture  is  in  the  region  of  the  loins  the 
hind  legs  are  paralyzed,  but  the  fore  legs  are  not.  If  the  fracture  is  in 
the  sacrum  (the  division  of  the  spinal  column  between  the  loins  and  the 
tail)  the  tail  alone  is  paralyzed. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  when  the  back  is  broken  there  is  no  remedy ; 
the  animal  should  be  bled  to  death  and  converted  into  meat  at  once. 
The  animal  not  being  able  to  rise  after  the  accident,  together  with  the 
fact  that  sensation  is  lost,  as  evidenced  by  sticking  a  pin  into  the  para- 
lyzed parts,  should  decide  the  question. 

PARALYSIS. 

Paralysis,  or  loss  of  motion  in  a  part,  may  be  due  to  a  lesion  of  the 
brain,  of  the  spinal  cord,  or  of  a  nerve.  It  may  also  be  caused  by  reflex 
irritation.  When  the  paralysis  affects  both  sides  of  the  body,  posterior 
to  a  point,  it  is  further  designated  by  the  technical  name  of  paraplegia. 
When  one  side  of  the  body  (a  lateral  half)  is  paralyzed,  the  technical 
term  liemiplegia  is  applied  to  the  affection.  When  paralysis  is  caused 
by  a  lesion  of  a  nerve,  the  paralysis  is  confined  to  the  particular  part 
supplied  by  the  affected  nerve. 

As  already  pointed  out,  paralysis  may  be  due  to  concussion  of  the 
spine;  fracture  of  a  bone  of  the  spinal  column  with  consequent  com- 
pression of  the  spinal  cord;  concussion  of  the  brain;  compression  of  the 
brain.  An  injury  to  one  side  of  the  brain  may  produce  paralysis  of 
the  same  side  of  the  head,  and  of  the  opposite  side  of  the  body  hemi- 
pleyia.  Paralysis  may  occur  in  connection  with  parturient  apoplexy, 
lead  poisoning,  ergotism,  etc. 

Paraplegia,  like  other  diseases,  has  been  traced  to  moldy  food.  In  one 
outbreak  on  record,  complete  paralysis  of  the  posterior  parts  of  the 
bodies  of  seven  oxen  was  attributed  to  this  cause.  Reflex  paraplegia, 
associated  with  indigestion  and  impaction  of  the  rumen,  is  recognized 
by  practitioners.  This  is  usually  a  mild  form,  and  generally  passes 
away  in  a  few  days,  especially  when  the  cause — indigestion,  impactiou 
of  the  rumen — responds  to  proper  treatment.  Cows  heavy  with  calf 
are  sometimes  affected  with  a  form  of  paraplegia,  which  usually  at- 


DISEASES   OP   THE   NERVOUS   SYSTEM.  125 

tacks  them  from  about  a  month  to  a  few  days  before  calving.  Appar- 
ently they  are  in  good  health  in  every  respect  except  the  inability  to  . 
stand  up,  on  account  of  the  paralysis  of  the  hind  quarters.  This  form 
is  generally  attributed  to  compression  of  the  nerves  (and  probably  the 
vessels  to  some  extent)  of  the  hind  parts  by  the  enlarged  condition  of 
the  womb.  As  a  rule  the  animal  recovers  after  calving,  and  requires 
only  general  care,  such  as  good  bedding  and  regular  diet,  and  if  the 
bowels  become  constipated  at  any  time  two  quarts  of  warm  soapsuds 
should  be  injected  into  the  rectum  occasionally.  If  the  enemas  are  not 
sufficient  to  keep  the  bowels  in  proper  condition,  a  half  pound  of  Epsom 
salts  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  warm  water  may  be  given  as  a  drench. 
If  the  cow  desires  to  shift  her  position  from  one  side  to  the  other  nec- 
essary assistance  should  be  given.  If  the  paralysis  continues  for 
several  days  after  the  calf  is  born  the  cow  should  have  a  purgative — 
1  pound  of  Epsom  salts  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  warm  water ;  also  1£ 
drams  of  pulverized  nux  vomica,  every  night  and  morning,  on  the  food3 
if  she  will  eat  it,  or  with  some  water  as  a  drench.  The  blistering  com- 
pound recommended  in  the  treatment  of  encephalitis  may  be  rubbed 
well  over  the  loins. 

The  cow  is  occasionally  attacked  with  a  form  of  paralysis  after  calv- 
ing not  connected  with  parturient  apoplexy.  It  may  be  associated 
with  inflammation  of  the  womb,  and  some  authorities  say  that  it  is 
caused  by  injuries  to  nerves  while  calving.  One  or  both  hind  legs  may 
be  affected,  or  more  or  less  of  the  body  may  be  involved.  The  treat- 
ment is  similar  to  that  for  the  variety  occuring  before  parturition,  viz., 
purgatives,  nux  vomica,  enemas,  blistering  the  loins,  and  the  general 
care  recommended  for  the  former  affection.  It  is  sometimes  necessary 
to  apply  a  red  hot  iron  in  lines  over  the  loins,  but  it  is  best  to  have  a 
veterinarian  perform  the  operation. 

The  treatment  for  the  form  of  paralysis  associated  with  indigestion 
or  impaction  of  the  rumen  (paunch)  is  much  the  same  as  in  the  forego- 
ing cases;  but  when  the  paunch  is  overloaded  the  purgative  should 
be  more  drastic.  The  following  compound  is  perhaps  as  good  as  any: 
1  pound  of  Epsom  salts;  £  pound  common  salt;  one  ounce  of  pulverized 
gamboge;  1  ounce  of  pulverized  ginger.  These  ingredients  must  be 
well  stirred  or  shaken  with  about  0  pints  of  warm  water.  The  enema  of 
warm  soapsuds  should  be  thrown  into  the  rectum  at  least  every  half 
hour.  If  the  bowels  do  not  respond  to  the  purgative  within  twenty-four 
hours  another  pound  of  Epsom  salts  may  be  administered,  dissolved  in 
a  quart  of  warm  wat«T.  After  the  bowels  respond  to  the  purgative,  and 
especially  in  those  cases  when  the  gait  remains  unsteady  for  a  few  days, 
give  the  following:  pulverized  nux  vomica,  4  ounces;  bicarbonate  of 
soda,  20  ounces;  mix  and  make  10  powders.  Give  one  every  night  and 
morning.  It  is  often  necessary  to  unload  an  engorged  paunch  by  an 
operation  called  rumenotony,  for  the  description  of  which,  ami  for  fuller 
particulars  of  the  treatment  of  indigestion  and  impaction  of  the  rumen, 


126  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

the  reader  is  referred  to  the  articles  on  those  subjects,  under  their 
proper  heads.  (See  p.  31.) 

There  are  instances  when  cows  will  persist  in  lying  down  (in  spite  of 
all  efforts  that  are  made  to  compel  them  to  stand  up),  when  it  can  not 
really  be  said  that  they  are  paralyzed.  They  have  sensation  in  all 
parts 5  they  can  move  all  their  feet;  they  can  change  their  position; 
and  in  fact  every  function  seems  to  be  normally  performed,  but  they 
obstinately  refuse  to  rise,  or  even  make  an  effort  to  do  so.  Cases  of 
this  kind  have  been  slaughtered,  as  it  was  an  utter  impossibility  to  get 
the  animal  on  its  feet.  However,  there  are  instances  when  a  cow  after 
refusing  to  rise  when  all  other  means  had  been  tried,  quickly  jumped 
to  her  feet  and  showed  fright  when  her  inveterate  enemy,  a  dog,  was 
induced  to  torment  her. 

Hemiplegia,  or  paralysis  of  one  side  of  the  body,  is  a  rare  affection  in 
cattle.  Prof.  Williams  records  a  case  in  his  "  Veterinary  Medicine " 
as  follows : 

In  the  case  of  the  cow  the  attack  was  of  an  acute  kind.  The  animal  was  grazing 
in  a  field  with  a  lot  of  others,  and  was  left  quite  well  at  milking  time  in  the  morn- 
ing. The  field  being  some  distance  from  the  house  it  was  not  seen  again  before 
evening.  It  was  then  found  prostrate  on  the  ground,  lying  upon  its  left  side,  and 
was  unable  to  rise.  When  I  saw  it  I  observed  the  following  symptoms :  The  left  ear 
was  pendulous,  left  eyelid  drooping  and  closed,  the  eye  squinted  outwards.  The 
left  cheek  hung  down,  the  angle  of  the  mouth  was  lower  than  on  the  opposite  side, 
the  muscles  were  loose  and  flaccid,  and  the  lips  drawn  to  the  right  side.  The  tongue 
protruded,  and  when  put  into  the  mouth  was  drawn  to  the  right  side.  The  neck 
was  twisted  and  the  head  drawn  to  the  left  side.  Deglutition  was  imperfect,  but 
the  breathing  was  not  especially  affected.  The  superficial  blood-vessels  of  the  right 
side  "were  engorged  with  blood,  and  stood  out  prominently  all  over  the  trunk  and 
neck.  The  same  side  was  warm,  whilst  the  opposite  side  was  cold,  and  the  hair  was 
pin-feathered.  In  endeavoring  to  place  the  animal  on  a  hurdle  for  the  purpose  of 
removing  it  to  a  shed  it  was  observed  that  it  rolled  over  from  the  left  to  the  right 
side,  on  which  side  only  could  it  be  made  to  lie.  The  bowels  were  constipated  and 
the  belly  tympanitic,  the  sphincter  ani  was  rather  relaxed,  the  vulva  flaccid,  and  the 
vagina  protruding.  The  animal  was  quite  conscious,  but  inclined  to  somnolency. 
It  was  bled,  a  purgative  administered,  and  the  back  was  fomented  and  dressed  with 
a  strong  ammonia  liniment.  On  the  following  morning  it  was  able  to  rise,  but  both 
the  legs  of  the  right  side  remained  partially  paralyzed  for  some  weeks.  The  affec- 
tion of  the  face,  however,  passed  away  during  the  first  night,  and  it  was  able  to  par- 
take of  food  on  the  following  morning. 

The  foregoing  quotation  so  fully  describes  hemiplegia  that  it  is  un- 
necessary to  add  any  more  to  it,  unless  it  is  to  say  that,  should  the 
reader  have  a  cow  with  a  similar  attack,  the  treatment  is  about  the 
same  as  described  for  paraplegia. 

TETANUS — LOCKJAW. 

Cattle  are  subject  to  tetanus,  but  it  is  a  comparatively  rare  affection 
among  this  class  of  animals.  The  writer  practices  in  a  district  where 
tetanus  is  almost  as  common  among  horses  and  mules  as  any  other  dis- 
ease, and  in  fact  it  occasionally  appears  as  an  enzootic  among  them; 
but  it  is  one  of  the  rarest  diseases  in  cattle  he  is  called  to  treat. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    NERVOUS    SYSTEM.  127 

Tetanus  consists  of  a  continued  spasm  of  the  voluntary  muscles.  The 
spasmodic  contraction  of  the  muscles,  although  persistent,  is  sometimes 
greater  or  more  severe  than  the  average  during  the  course  of  the  dis- 
ease. The  exacerbations,  or  increase  of  the  violence  of  the  spasm,  may 
occur  without  any  cause  other  than  the  nature  of  the  disease  itself,  but 
they  are  frequently  due  to  noises  or  the  manner  of  going  about  the 
animal  by  those  in  attendance,  and  to  other  causes  that  excite  the 
patient. 

Other  technical  terms  are  used  to  designate  the  particular  forms  of 
tetanus,  but  they  only  refer  to  the  regions  of  the  body  that  are  involved 
in  the  spasm.  Thus  if  the  muscles  of  the  head,  particularly  those 
used  in  mastication  (or  chewing),  are  affected,  it  is  called  trismus;  and 
it  is  this  form  which  gives  rise  to  the  popular  name  u lockjaw."  When 
the  muscles  of  the  upper  part  of  the  neck  and  back  are  affected  the 
head  and  tail  are  elevated,  and  the  name  applied  is  opisthotonos.  If 
the  muscles  of  one  side  only  are  affected,  the  head  is  drawn  to  that 
side,  and  the  disease  is  called  tetanus  lateralis  or  pletirosthotonos.  If 
the  muscles  on  the  lower  part  of  the  neck  and  body  are  affected,  the 
mouth  is  drawn  towards  the  breast,  when  the  term  einprosthotonos  is 
applied.  In  cattle  the  disease  is  characterized  by  the  symptoms  of 
trismus  and  opisthotonos  combined;  the  other  forms  have  never  been 
met  with  in  the  experience  of  the  writer. 

Two  varieties  of  tetanus  have  been  universally  recognized :  When  the 
disease  exists  in  connection  with  a  visible  wound,  it  is  called  traumatic 
tetanus.  When  no  wound  is  discoverable  the  affection  is  called  idio- 
pathic  tetanus.  The  writer  is  of  opinion  that  these  distinctions  are 
superfluous,  by  which  he  means  to  infer  that  in  all  cases  the  disease  is 
from  the  same  cause.  In  the  great  majority  of  instances  there  is  no 
difficulty  in  finding  a  wound,  and  in  many  cases  more  than  one  wound. 
In  the  cases  called  idiopathic  one  can  only  say  that  no  wound  is  dis- 
covered ;  one  can  not  say  positively  that  no  wound  exists.  There  may 
be  a  wound  in  the  mouth,  or  in  any  part  of  the  intestinal  canal.  When 
it  is  considered  how  small  the  wound  is  in  the  foot  from  the  prick  of  a 
nail  in  so  many  cascx  followed  by  lockjaw  in  the  horse,  it  is  not  dillicult 
to  recognize  the  fact  that  there  may  be  many  small  wounds  that  are 
invisible  about  an  animal.  It  is  a  familiar  opinion  often  expressed 
that  there  is  danger  in  a  pin-scratch.  One  may  easily  appreciate  the  fact 
that  there  may  be  more  small  scratches  than  one  on  the  hide  of  an  ani- 
mal thickly  covered  with  hair,  that  will  defy  detection  unless  the  animal 
is  shaved.  Holding  the.se  views,  the  writer  will  not  differentiate 
tatween  the,  two  varieties,  but  will  describe  the  disease  under  the  gen- 
eral name,  tetanus.  It  must  be  understood  that  the  writer  has  no 
desire  to  do  violence  to  the  opinions  of  others;  nor  docs  he  so  strongly 
assert  his  own  opinions  merely  for  the  purpose  of  airing  them;  the  real 
objiM-t  is  that  the  most  careful  examination  be  made  in  every  instance, 
HO  that  eases  \vill  not  be  classed  as  idiopathic  simply  because  a  casual 
glance  over  the  animal  fails  to  detect  a  wound. 


128  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

• 

Games. — Tetanus  has  been  attributed  to  many  different  causes  by  as 
many  different  writers,  and  while  some  of  the  theories  may  appear 
plausible  to  one  observer,  to  another  they  seem  ridiculous.  To  refer  to 
all  the  conditions  that  have  been  ascribed  as  causes  for  this  affection  is 
a  greater  task  than  the  writer  has  desire  to  attempt.  However,  a  few 
of  them  will  be  mentioned,  to  convey  an  idea  of  the  diversity  of  the 
opinions  held  by  those  who  have  written  on  the  subject:  Hereditary 
predisposition,  bad  food,  exposure  to  cold  and  wet,  sudden  alterations 
of  temperature,  excessive  fatigue,  overdriving,  etc.  All  authorities 
agree  on  one  point,  however,  and  that  is,  that  tetanus  is  most  frequently 
met  with  in  connection  with  a  wound. 

It  should  be  remarked  that  it  is  not  only  large  wounds,  nor  very  pain- 
ful wounds,  that  are  followed  by  tetanus,  as  the  affection  is  often  asso- 
ciated with  wounds  of  the  most  trivial  character.  The  writer  has 
attended  cases  where  the  wounds  were  so  small  that  they  were  only  dis- 
covered after  repeated  examinations.  One  case  in  particular  is  worthy 
of  mention.  When  first  examined,  trismus  was  so  pronounced  that  the 
teeth  could  not  be  forced  more  than  a  half  inch  apart.  A  thorough 
examination  failed  to  find  a  wound.  The  next  day  another  examina- 
tion was  as  fruitless.  On  the  third  day  a  small  nodule  was  felt  on  the 
skin  of  the  cheek ;  the  hair  was  parted,  and  a  little  crust  or  scab'  picked 
off.  The  hostler  then  stated,  what  had  escaped  his  memory  until  thus 
reminded,  that  about  a  week  before,  while  putting  hay  in  the  manger, 
the  point  of  a  prong  of  the  fork  caine  in  contact  with  that  part,  but  the 
wound  was  so  slight  that  it  was  entirely  forgotten.  That  small  sore  was 
treated  antiseptically,  and  the  animal  made  a  good  recovery.  The 
writer  has  not  the  least  doubt  that  the  cause  was  in  that  small  wound. 

In  another  instance,  after  a  very  careful  examination,  the  case  was 
about  to  be  put  down  among  the  number  of  those  which  are  generally 
called  idiopathic,  when  a  few  hairs  on  the  base  of  the  neck  were 
observed  to  be  matted  together;  and  on  a  closer  examination  of  that 
part  a  small  abrasion  was  found  which  was  treated  antiseptically  until 
it  was  healed.  The  animal  was  discharged  sound  in  two  weeks. 

It  is  a  fact  (in  the  experience  of  the  writer)  that  large  or  painful 
wounds  are  less  liable  to  be  followed  by  tetanus  than  are  the  slighter 
injuries,  for  the  reason  that  the  former  usually  receive  attention,  while 
the  latter  are  neglected. 

A  wound  in  any  part  of  the  body  may  be  followed  by  tetanus.  The 
particular  place  where  a  wound  is  located  is  of  small  import  so  far  as 
the  cause  is  concerned,  although  it  is  of  the  greatest  importance  when 
the  treatment  is  considered,  as,  for  instance,  a  wound  that  is  located 
internally  can  not  be  topically  treated. 

Tetanus  may  ensue  within  a  few  days  after  the  infliction  of  a  wound, 
but  the  attack  usually  occurs  between  one  and  two  weeks  after  the 
injury,  when,  in  many  cases,  the  Avound  is  nearly  healed.  In  instances 
where  healing  is  retarded,  the  wound  remaining  open,  neglected,  or 


DISEASES    OF    THE    NERVOUS    SYSTEM.  129 

badly  treated,  the  disease  may  set  in  at  any  time.  In  one  case  of 
which  the  writer  has  knowledge  the  animal  was  attacked  fonr  months 
after  receiving  the  wound  in  the  foot. 

Operations  (as  well  as  accidental  wounds)  may  be  followed  by  teta- 
nus. However,  it  is  not  now  so  common  a  sequel  to  operations  as  it 
formerly  was,  for  the  reason  that  careful  veterinarians  use  antiseptic 
precautions  as  much  as  possible. 

It  has  perhaps  followed  castration  oftener  than  any  other  operation, 
due  no  doubt,  in  the  great  majority  of  instances,  to  uncleanliness  both 
in  regard  to  the  instruments  used  and  to  the  hands  of  the  operator,  as 
well  as  the  manner  of  operating.  But  of  course  it  may  follow  the 
operation  in  some  instances  when  care  has  been  taken  in  respect  to 
cleanliness.  In  such  cases  the  cause  gains  access  to  the  wound  after 
the  operation  has  been  performed. 

In  an  instance  of  which  the  writer  has  knowledge  the  ordinary 
operation  of  tapping  for  tympany  ("wind  colic  ")  was  followed  by  lock- 
jaw.  In  this  case  certainly  the  disease  could  not  have  been  due  to  the 
instrument,  as  it  was  thoroughly  clean  and  had  been  immersed  in  a 
solution  of  carbolic  acid  in  water  (1  to  20)  before  the  operation.  It  is 
evident  that  the  cause  of  tetanus  must  have  either  been  on  the  skin  at 
the  time  of  the  puncture,  and  forced  into  the  wound  by  the  instrument, 
or  else  it  gained  access  some  time  afterwards. 

There  can  be  no  question  that  a  wound  has  much  to  do  with  the  cause 
of  tetanus,  but  nevertheless  the  most  serious  or  the  most  trivial  wound 
can  not  in  itself  produce  the  affection.  Something  of  a  specific  nature 
must  gain  access  to  the  wound  for  the  characteristic  symptoms  of  te- 
tanus to  be  developed.  Long  ago,  before  a  germ  having  this  specific 
property  was  discovered,  many  scientific  veterinarians  and  physicians 
believed  in  the  infectious  nature  of  the  disease.  Cases  frequently  oc- 
curred in  the  practice  of  individual  members  of  the  profession  that  left 
in >  doubt  in  their  minds,  and  consequently,  when  it  was  announced 
that  a  microbe  had  been  found  in  wounds  of  persons  suffering  with  the 
disease,  that  would  cause  the  affection  in  animals  when  inoculated  with 
the  pus  containing  the  microbes,  many  points  which  had  been  clouded 
in  mystery  were  at  once  made  clear.  (See  Plate  xxix,  Fig.  5.) 

Since  this  discovery  in  1884  many  successful  experiments  have  been 
performed  to  verify  the  fact.  The  same  microl>e  has  been  discovered 
in  earth,  and  cultivations  made  from  it  and  injected  into  animals  have 
produced  the  disease.  It  has  been  found  in  dirt  taken  from  floors, 
gardens,  yards,  fields,  streets,  and  animals  inoculated  with  it  have 
developed  the  disease.  Hence  there  is  not  much  doubt  at  present  con- 
•coming  the  cause  of  tetanus,  although  there  are  still  some  eminent 
practitioners  in  both  the  veterinary  and  medical  professions  who  refuse 
to  receive  the  results  of  the  numerous  experiments  as  conclusive. 

The  evidence  so  far  goes  to  prove  that  tetanus  is  the  same  disease  in 
111:111  mid  animals,  ind  therefore  it  is  well  to  bear  in  mind  when  attend- 
24097 9 


130  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ing  an  affected  animal  that  the  wound  may  contain  a,  germ  which 5  if  it 
gain  access  to  a  sore  or  an  abraded  surface  OR  yourself,  may  cause 
this  dreadful  disease. 

In  summing  up  the  matter  it  may  be  said  in  a  very  few  words  that 
there  is  a  well-grounded  belief  that  the  specific  germs  of  tetanus  find 
their  way  into  a  wound  or  an  abrasion,  where  they  obtain  favorable 
opportunity  for  cultivation  and  increase,  and  the  result  of  their  pres- 
ence is  a  poisonous  chemical  product  which  is  absorbed  into  the  system 
and  causes  tetanus.  In  those  cases  called  idiopathic,  where  no  wound 
can  be  found,  it  docs  not  require  a  stretch  of  the  imagination  to  sup 
pose  that  a  wound  or  an  injury  exists  somewhere  in  the  alimentary 
canal  sufficient  to  harbor  the  germs,  which  may  have  been  taken  in 
with  the  food;  and  it  is  even  considered  possible  for  the  germs  to  be 
taken  in  with  the  air  inhaled  and  to  lodge  on  a  denuded  surface  of  the 
respiratory  tract. 

In  this  view  of  the  subject  there  is  nothing  to  do  violence  to  exist- 
ing knowledge,  for  it  is  well  known  that  strychnine  in  poisonous  doses 
acts  on  the  nervous  system  in  the  same  manner,  causing  a  spasm  simi- 
lar to  tetanus. 

Cattle  lead  a  quieter  life  and  are  less  subject  to  wounds  than  horses 
and  mules,  and  it  may  be  that  they  are  better  able  to  withstand  the 
effects  of  the  germs,  and  to  these  reasons  may  be  due  the  fact  that 
tetanus  is  a  rare  disease  in  cattle. 

Symptoms. — In  the  description  of  the  nervous  system  it  was  ex- 
plained that  sensory  impressions  are  conducted  to  the  brain  by  the 
afferent  nerves,  and  the  motor  impulses  are  conducted  from  the  nerve 
center  to  the  muscle  (to  cause  contraction)  by  the  efferent  nerves. 
Now,  in  describing  the  symptoms  of  tetanus,  it  is  well  to  point  out  the 
fact  that  the  motor  centers  being  greatly  irritated  by  the  cause  of 
tetanus,  an  extraordinary  stimulus  or  current  is  sent  to  all  the  mus- 
cles, which  produces  a  persistent  violent  contraction  or  spasm  of  the 
muscles.  Bearing  in  mind  this  fact  it  is  easier  to  recognize  the  con- 
tracted state  of  the  muscles,  which  are  hard  and  resistant,  and  stand 
out  prominently  as  lumps  or  cords  under  the  skin,  especially  about  the 
head  and  neck. 

General  sensitiveness  is  also  increased;  the  afflicted  beast  is  ever  on 
the  alert,  and  is  startled  by  the  slightest  noise.  A  harsh  voice  often 
brings  011  an  increase  in  the  intensity  of  the  spasm ;  a  touch  of  the 
hand,  however  light,  excites  fear;  clapping  the  hands  or  the  crack  of  a 
whip  almost  causes  the  animal  to  fall. 

The  first  symptom  noticed  is  usually  some  stiffness  in  the  manner  of 
carrying  the  head.  The  muzzle  is  elevated — "poked  out;"  the  ears 
are  also  carried  stiffly,  and  moved  very  little,  if  any.  The  haw  or 
"washer"  (meinbrana  nictitans)  is  forced  over  the  eye  from  the  inner 
corner,  and  on  account  of  this  strange  appearance  of  the  eye,  many 
persons  who  have  for  the  first  time  seen  an  animal  affected  with  lock- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    NERVOUS    SYSTEM.  131 

jaw,  imagine  that  all  the  trouble  is  in  the  eyes.  In  fact  the  writer  has 
known  of  several  instances  where  persons,  ignorant  of  the  real  cause, 
supposed  the  animal  to  be  affected  with  "  hooks,"  and  therefore  cut  ont 
what  they  concluded  to  be  offensive.  The  animal  moves  very  stiffly, 
the  legs  are  almost  rigid,  and  when  walking  they  are  used  like  sticks. 
When  turned  the  body  is  kept  straight  and  moves  around  like  a  log. 
When  standing  still  the  legs  are  propped  out,  and,  were  it  not  for  the 
breathing,  the  beast  might  be  compared  to  a  wooden  horse.  The  tail 
is  elevated  and  sticks  out  like  a  pump  handle.  The  jaws  are  moved 
very  stiffly  during  the  first  part  of  the  attack,  and  there  may  be  grating 
of  the  teeth  or  champing  so  long  as  they  can  be  moved,  but  at  any  time 
if  the  hand  be  placed  in  the  mouth  to  force  the  jaws  apart,  rigidity  to 
a  greater  or  less  extent  will  be  manifest.  The  animal  will  eat  as  long 
as  ir  is  possible  to  open  the  jaws  wide  enough  to  take  anything  into 
the  mouth.  On  account  of  the  general  stiffness  the  urine  and  dung  are 
1-a^ed  with  some  difficulty.  The  pulse  is  usually  hard,  but  does  not 
vary  much  from  normal  in  other  respects,  until  some  time  after  the 
attack,  when  it  increases  very  much  in  frequency.  As  the  disease 
progresses  all  the  symptoms  become  more  pronounced.  The  haw  ex- 
tends further  over  the  eye,  and  at  any  time,  if  the  head  is  forced  up  by 
the  hand,  the  eye  may  be  entirely  hidden  as  it  is  drawn  back,  and  the 
haw  forced  over  it.  The  breathing  becomes  more  rapid  and  difficult; 
the  nostrils  are  open  to  their  widest  extent,  showing  the  congested 
membranes  .within  the  nose  ;  the  jaws  become  more  or  less  set  or  locked ; 
swallowing,  always  accomplished  with  difficulty,  becomes  almost  or 
quite  impossible.  At  times,  and  especially  if  the  animal  is  annoyed  or 
excited  by  attendants  or  noises,  the  intensity  of  the  spasm  is  increased 
so  as  to  amount  to  paroxysms.  The  animal  usually  remains  on  its  feet 
as  long  as  possible,  but  should  it  get  down  after  the  disease  is  well 
established  it  is  seldom  able  to  rise  alone,  and  in  its  endeavors  to  do 
so  it  struggles  convulsively,  and  as  a  rule  the  struggles  end  in  death. 

Treatment. — Tetanus  in  every  instance  must  be  considered  a  very 
serious  affection,  but  not  necessarily  always  a  fatal  one.  Some  cases 
have  recovered  in  spite  of  the  most  brutal  and  ignorant  methods  of 
treatment;  some  have  recovered  without  much  treatment  of  any  kind: 
aud  many  cases  succumb  under  the  treatment  of  the  most  eminent  prac- 
titioners after  every  measure  prompted  by  science,  humanity,  and  rea- 
son has  been  resorted  to.  Of  paramount  importance  is  to  recognize  the 
affection  and  begin  the  treatment  before  the  disease  has  made  much 
advance,  for  when  it  is  well  established  the  effect  is  not  only  harder  to 
overcome,  but  every  aid  is  more  diflicult  to  render. 

At  the  appearance  of  the  first  symptoms,  when  the  animal  is  still 
able  to  swallow  without  much  difficulty,  give  the  following  drench: 
Epsom  salts,  10  ounces;  common  salt,  10  ounces;  calomel.  2  drams;  pul- 
veri/.ed  gentian,  1  ounce;  warm  wat«>r,  2  quarts.  After  the  administra- 
tion of  the  foregoing  dose  there  is  to  be  no  more  drenching. 


132  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Examine  closely  for  wounds;  look  well  between  the  claws  of  the  feet, 
search  over  the  body  and  legs,  and  even  examine  the  mouth.  Note 
well  the  location  of  the  wounds ;  do  not  neglect  the  smallest  scratch. 
Place  the  animal  in  a  darkened,  quiet  stall,  where  it  will  be  away  from 
noises  or  other  cause  of  excitement.  With  hot  soapsuds  and  a  clean 
rag,  thoroughly  wash  away  from  the  wound  (or  wounds)  all  the  hard- 
ened discharges,  crusts  or  scabs,  so  that  a  fresh  and  clean  sore  is  pre- 
sented. Then  use  the  following:  Bichloride  of  mercury,  30  grains; 
pure  carbolic  acid,  1  ounce;  water,  1  quart;  mix.  Pour  some  of  this 
solution  on  the  wound,  and  with  a  clean  piece  of  white  cotton  or  muslin 
rub  the  medicine  into  all  parts  of  the  wound ;  be  certain  that  it  conies 
in  contact  with  every  portion  of  the  wound ;  literally  scour  the  wound 
with  the  cotton  and  medicine,  but  do  no  unnecessary  injury.  Make 
soaking  wet  some  absorbent  cotton  and  bind  it  well  on  the  wound. 
Once  each  day  change  the  dressing;  clean  the  wound  with  the  medi- 
cine, and  bind  on  fresh  absorbent  cotton  soaking  wet  with  it.  Treat 
every  wound  or  scratch  that  you  can  find  on  the  animal  in  the  same 
manner.  If  the  wound  is  in  the  foot,  expose  it  well  by  cutting  away  as 
much  of  the  hoof  as  necessary  in  order  that  the  medicine  may  come  in 
contact  with  all  of  it.  Painful  wounds  about  the  feet  should  be  poul- 
ticed twice  a  day  with  linseed  meal  for  three  or  four  days,  but  each 
time  the  poultice  is  changed  the  wound  should  be  Avashed  with  the 
medicine;  and  when  the  poultices  are  discontinued  the  wound  must  be 
dressed  with  the  absorbent  cotton  and  the  medicine  once  a  day.  Give 
the  regular  food  so  long  as  the  animal  is  able  to  eat  it,  but  when  chew- 
ing and  swallowing  become  very  difficult  slops  made  with  bran,  corn- 
meal  and  small  quantities  of  linseed  meal  must  be  prepared.  All  the 
cold  water  the  animal  will  drink  must  be  supplied.  The  stall  must  be 
so  arranged  that  the  food  and  water  may  be  placed  within  easy  reach 
of  the  animal's  mouth,  as  it  must  be  remembered  that  it  can  reach 
neither  very  high  nor  very  low. 

Although  putting  cattle  in  slings  is  not  a  very  satisfactory  measure 
under  any  circumstances,  still  it  may  be  advisable  to  have  the  animal 
in  a  stall,  where  arrangements  maybe  made  to  support  it  (not  suspend) 
in  canvas.  When  an  animal  affected  with  lockjaw  lies  down  it  is  a 
very  difficult  matter  to  raise  it,  as  the  body  and  legs  are  so  stiff  that 
the  beast  is  not  able  to  help  itself,  and  raising  it  is  something  after  the 
manner  of  lifting  a  heavy  body  with  four  sticks  stuck  Into  it  for  legs. 
If  the  animal  becomes  very  weak  the  canvas  may  be  arranged  so  that 
it  may  rest  in  the  sling. 

Do  not  allow  the  patient  to  be  an  object  of  curiosity  for  the  neigh- 
borhood. The  person  who  is  attending  to  the  animal's  necessities  should 
be  the  only  visitor  to  the  stall ;  and  three  visits  each  day,  every  eight 
hours,  will  suffice  to  render  all  necessary  aid.  The  food,  etc.,  should  be 
prepared  in  time  to  be  carried  in  at  the  regular  visit.  . 

The  excitement  caused  by  repeatedly  drenching  the  animal  would  do 


DISEASES    OF    THE   NERVOUS    SYSTEM.  133 

much  more  harm  than  could  be  overcome  by  all  the  medicines  you  could 
pour  into  it.  Therefore  do  not  attempt  it.  Dissolve  1  ounce  of  bromide 
of  potassium  in  every  2  gallons  of  water  the  patient  will  drink.  Leave 
a  fresh  supply  of  water  with  the  medicine  in  it  before  the  animal  at  each 
visit,  and  secure  the  bucket  so  that  it  can  not  be  overturned.  Three 
times  a  day  inject  into  the  rectum  2£  ounces  each  of  the  tinctures  of 
conium  and  cannabis  indica,  diluted  with  1  pint  of  warm  water. 

Everything  must  be  done  in  a  quiet,  orderly  manner,  so  as  not  to  ex- 
cite the  patient.  Do  not  pay  any  attention  to  the  numerous  recipes  for 
lockjaw  advised  to  be  given  by  different  acquaintances.  The  veteri- 
nary expert,  governed  by  the  exigencies  of  the  case,  is  competent  to  make 
changes  and  substitute  measures  intended  to  relieve  symptoms,  but  the 
nouprofessional  had  best  confine  himself  to  au  outlined  course  of  treat- 
ment and  abide  by  the  result  of  it.  No  doubt  you  will  be  advised  to 
chloroform  the  animal,  or  to  do  one  thing  or  another,  to  "  unlock  the 
jaws/'  etc.,  but  do  not  follow  the  advice,  as  you  will  only  hasten  a  fatal 
termination ;  all  such  methods  have  been  tried  again  and  again  with  no 
benefit.  In  those  cases  where  no  wound  is  found  the  treatment  must 
be  the  same  in  all  respects,  with  the  exception,  of  course,  that  there  is 
no  wound  to  treat.  But  if  there  has  been  a  recent  wound  which  is 
apparently  healed,  bathe  the  scar  well  with  warm  water,  and  if  there 
be  the  slightest  sign  that  it  is  not  entirely  healed,  use  the  medicine 
on  it  as  advised  for  the  other  wounds. 

When  improvement  is  pronounced,  the  medicine  given  in  the  drinking 
water  and  in  the  rectum  should  be  gradually  discontinued  by  giving  only 
two-thirds  of  the  prescribed  quantities  of  each  for  a  few  days,  then  one- 
half  for  a  few  days  longer;  then  the  half  doses  twice  a  day,  until  it  is 
safe  to  stop  the  use  of  the  medicine  altogether.  But  at  any  time  after 
the  quantities  are  decreased  if  unfavorable  symptoms  are  manifested, 
the  original  quantities  should  be  given  again  as  long  as  necessary.  The 
treatment  prescribed  for  the  wounds  should  be  continued  until  the 
wounds  are  healed,  and  for  some  time  after,  if  the  symptoms  of  tetanus 
are  still  presented. 

If  the  disease  is  not  recogni/ed  until  after  the  power  of  swallowing  is 
entirely  lost  there  is  little  to  be  accomplished  by  treatment.  It  is  true 
that  nourishing  food,  such  as  gruels,  milk,  etc.,  may  be  given  in  the 
form  of  enemas,  but  even  if  life  is  prolonged  for  a  short  time  by  this 
means,  such  cases  terminate  fatally. 

If  it  be  true  that  tetanus  is  due  to  the  effects  of  a  specific  germ 
(liacillux  tetani) — and  there  is  not  much  doubt  about  it — then  a  great 
deal  may  be  done  to  prevent  the  disca.sc  by  the  antiseptic  treatment  of 
all  wounds.  If  you  perform  any  surgical  operations  your  hands  and 
instruments  should  be  thoroughly  cleansed  according  to  antiseptic 
methods,  a  description  of  which  will  be  found  under  its  proper  head. 
It  is  a  fact  that  an  extremely  small  percentage  of  wounds  are  followed 
by  tetanus,  but  still  it  is  economical  in  a  general  sense  to  properly  treat 
wounds. 


134  DISEASES    OP    CATTLE. 

LIGHTNING    STROKE — ASPHYXIA  ELECTKICA. 

When  an  animal  is  struck  by  lightning  the  shock  is  instantaneously 
expended  on  the  nervous  system,  and  as  a  rule  death  occurs  immedi- 
ately, but  when  the  shock  is  not  fatal  animation  is  suspended  to  a 
greater  or  less  extent,  as  evidenced  by  prostration,  unconsciousness, 
and  paralysis. 

Symptoms. — When  not  fatal,  the  symptoms  vary  much,  according  to 
the  severity  of  the  shock.  The  animal  usually  falls,  as  from  an  apo- 
plectic attack,  and,  as  a  matter  of  course,  the  symptoms  are  such  as  are 
generally  manifested  in  connection  with  concussion  of  the  brain.  The 
muscular  system  may  be  completely  relaxed;  the  legs  limber;  the 
muscles  flabby  and  soft  to  the  touch,  or  there  may  be  convulsions, 
spasms,  and  twitching  of  the  muscles.  The  breathing  is  generally 
labored,  irregular,  or  interrupted,  and  slower  than  normal. 

In  most  instances  the  electrical  fluid  leaves  its  mark  by  singeing  the 
hair,  or  by  inflicting  wounds,  burns,  or  blisters.  "  Sir  B.  Brodie  tells 
a  curious  story  of  two  bullocks,  pied  white  and  red,  which  were  struck 
in  different  storms.  In  both  cases  the  white  hairs  were  consumed, 
while  the  red  ones  escaped." 

Treatment. — So  long  as  the  beating  of  the  heart  is  perceptible,  the 
endeavor  to  resuscitate  the  animal  should  be  continued.  Dash  cold 
water  over  the  head  and  body ;  rub  the  body  and  legs ;  smartly  whip 
the  body  with  wet  towels  or  switches.  Mustard,  mixed  with  water, 
should  be  well  rubbed  over  the  legs  and  back  of  the  head  on  each  side 
of  the  neck.  Inject  into  the  rectum  4  drams  of  liquor  ammonia  fortis, 
or  1£  ounces  of  hartshorn  diluted  with  a  quart  of  warm  water.  Cau- 
tiously hold  an  uncorked  bottle  of  hartshorn  to  the  nostrils,  so  that  some 
of  it  is  inhaled,  but  care  should  be  taken  that  too  much  is  not  suddenly 
inhaled. 

In  desperate  cases,  artificial  respiration  should  be  tried,  as  follows : 
With  both  hands  spread  out  to  cover  a  large  surface,  press  on  the 
abdomen  (behind  the  ribs)  and  then  on  the  chest  (behind  the  shoulders), 
and  continue  in  this  manner,  first  on  the  abdomen  and  then  on  the 
chest  in  regular  order,  so  that  the  chest  and  the  abdomen  are  each 
pressed  on  alternately  about  twenty  times  a  minute.  The  pressure 
should  be  slow  and  steady,  so  that  the  movement  given  by  it  to  the 
walls  of  the  chest  and  abdomen  will  resemble  their  motion  in  breathing. 
A  hand  bellows  may  be  used  as  an  aid  to  the  foregoing  method,  as 
follows :  Each  time  after  the  chest  is  pressed  on  the  nozzle  is  inserted 
in  the  nostril  and  air  slowly  aiid  gently  forced  in  by  the  bellows. 

When  the  animal  revives  sufficiently  to  be  able  to  swallow,  4  drams 
of  the  liquor  ammonia  fortis,  diluted  with  a  quart  of  cold  water,  should 
be  given  as  a  drench,  and  the  dose  should  be  repeated  in  an  hour.  One 
and  one-half  ounces  of  ordinary  hartshorn  may  be  used  instead  of  the 
stronger  liquor  ammonia,  but,  like  the  latter,  it  should  be  diluted  with 


DISEASES    OF    THE    NERVOUS    SYSTEM.  135 

a  quart  or  more  of  water,  and  even  then  care  should  be  exercised  in 
drenching. 

Iii  cases  when  the  shock  has  not  caused  complete  insensibility  recov- 
ery may  be  hastened  by  the  ammonia  and  water  drench,  or  4  ounces  of 
brandy  diluted  with  a  quart  of  water,  or  8  ounces  of  whisky  diluted 
with  a  quart  of  water.  These  doses  may  be  given  every  three  or  four 
hours,  if  necessary.  After  recovery  from  the  more  serious  symptoms, 
2  drams  of  sulphate  of  quinine  should  be  given  twice  a  day  until  health 
is  restored.  If  any  paralysis  remains,  1£  drams  of  pulverized  mix 
vomica  should  be  given  twice  a  day  with  the  quinine. 

The  foregoing  treatment  is  also  applicable  when  the  electrical  shock 
is  given  by  telephone,  electric  car,  or  electric  light  wires,  etc.  The 
wounds,  burns,  or  blisters  should  be  treated  according  to  the  antiseptic 
method  of  treating  wounds. 

TUMOKS  IN   THE   BRAIN,  ETC. 

Tumors  of  different  kinds  have  been  found  within  the  cranial  cavity, 
and  in  many  cases  there  have  been  no  well-marked  symptoms  exhib- 
ited during  the  life  of  the  animal  to  lead  one  to  suspect  their  existence. 
Cases  are  recorded  where  bony  tumors  have  been  found  in  the  brain  of 
cattle  that  died  suddenly,  but  during  life  no  signs  of  disease  were  man- 
ifested. Post-mortem  examinations  have  discovered  tubercular  matter 
in  the  membranes  of  the  brain  (see  Tuberculosis,  p.  403).  Abscesses, 
usually  the  result  of  inflammation  of  the  brain,  have  been  found  post- 
mortem. For  the  description  of  hydrocephalus,  or  dropsy  of  the  brain 
of  calves,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  section  on  parturition.  (See 
Water  in  the  Head,  p.  200.) 

Chorea,  constant  twitching  and  irregular  spasmodic  movements  of 
the  muscles,  has  been  noticed  in  connection  with,  or  as  a  sequel  to 
other  affections,  as,  for  example,  parturient  apoplexy. 

Various  diseases,  the  description  of  which  will  be  found  in  other  sec- 
tions of  this  work,  affect  the  nervous  system  to  a  greater  or  less  extent. 
For  example,  ergotism,  lead  poisoning,  unemia,  parturient  apoplexy, 
colic,  and  other  affections  associated  with  cramps  or  spasms,  etc.  Dis- 
ease of  the  ovaries,  by  reflex  irritation,  may  cause  u'stromania  (see 
Excess  of  Venereal  Diwire,  p.  170),  constant  desire  for  the  bull. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  URINARY  ORGANS. 


By  JAMES  LAW,  F.  R.  C.  V.  S.. 
Professor  of  Veterinary  Science,  etc.,  in  Cornell   University. 


Of  the  materials  that  have  served  their  purpose  in  building  up  the 
animal  body  or  in  sustaining  the  bodily  temperature,  and  that  are  now 
to  be  thrown  out  as  waste,  the  greater  part  are  expelled  from  the  system 
through  the  lungs  and  the  kidneys.  But  the  agents  that  pass  out  by 
either  of  these  two  channels  differ  in  the  main  from  those  passing  by 
the  other.  Thus  from  the  lungs  in  the  form  of  dioxide  of  carbon — the 
same  gas  that  comes  from  burning  of  coal  or  oil — there  escapes  most  of 
the  waste  material  resulting  from  the  destruction  in  the  system  of  fats, 
sugars,  starch,  and  such  other  foods  as  are  wanting  in  the  element  nitro- 
gen, and  do  not  form  fibrous  tissues,  but  go  mainly  to  support  animal 
heat.  From  the  kidneys,  on  the  other  hand,  are  thrown  out  the  waste 
products  resulting  from  the  destruction  of  the  foods  and  tissues  con- 
taining nitrogen — of,  e.  #.,  albumen,  fibrin,  gluten,  casein,  gelatin, 
woody  tissue,  etc.  While  much  of  the  waste  material  containing  nitro- 
gen leaves  the  body  by  the  bowels,  this  is  virtually  such  only  of  the 
albuminoid  food  as  has  failed  to  b*e  fully  digested  and  absorbed,  and 
this  has  never  formed  a  true  constituent  part  of  the  body  itself  or  of  the 
blood,  but  is  so  much  waste  food,  like  that  which  has  come  to  the  table 
and  been  carried  away  again  unused.  Where  the  albuminoid  food  ele- 
ment has  entered  the  blood,  whether  or  not  it  has  been  built  up  into  a 
constituent  part  of  the  structure  of  the  body,  its  waste  products,  which 
contain  nitrogen,  are  in  the  main  expelled  through  the  kidneys,  so  that 
these  organs  become  the  principal  channels  for  the  expulsion  of  all 
nitrogen-containing  waste. 

It  would  be  an  error,  however,  to  infer  that  all  nitrogenous  food, 
when  once  digested  and  absorbed  into  the  blood,  must  necessarily 
leave  the  system  in  the  urine.  On  the  contrary,  in  the  young  and 
growing  animal  all  increase  of  the  fibrous  structures  of  the  body  is 
gained  through  the  building  up  of  those  flesh-forming  constituents  into 
their  substance;  in  the  pregnant  animal  the  growth  of  the  offspring 
and  its  envelopes  has  a  similar  origin,  and  in  the  dairy  cow  the  casein 
or  curd  of  the  milk  is  a  means  of  constant  elimination  of  these  nitrogen- 
containing  ageutt'.  Thus,  in  the  breeding  and,  above  all,  in  the  milk 

137 


138  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ing  cow  the  womb  or  udder  carries  on  a  work  in  one  sense  equivalent 
to  that  otherwise  performed  by  the  kidneys.  Kot  only  are  these  organs 
alike  channels  for  the  excretion  of  albuminous  products,  but  they  are 
also  related  to  each  other  structurally  and  by  nervous  sympathy,  so 
that  suffering  in  the  one  is  liable  to  induce  some  measure  of  disorder  in 
the  other. 

This  nitrogenous  waste  matter  is  mainly  present  in  the  urine  of  cat- 
tle, as  of  other  mammals,  in  the  form  of  urea,  but  also,  to  some  extent, 
as  hippuric  acid,  a  derivative  of  vegetable  food  which,  in  the  herbivora, 
replaces  the  uric  acid  found  in  the  urine  of  man  and  carnivora.  Uric 
acid  is,  however,  found  in  the  urine  of  sucking  calves  which  have 
practically  an  animal  diet,  and  it  may  also  appear  in  the  adult  in  case 
of  absolute  and  prolonged  starvation,  and  in  diseases  attended  by  com- 
plete loss  of  appetite  and  rapid  wasting  of  the  body.  In  such  cases  the 
animal  lives  on  its  own  substance,  and  the  product  is  that  of  the  wast- 
ing flesh. 

The  other  products  containing  nitrogen  are  only  present  in  small 
amount,  and  need  not  be  specially  referred  to.  The  urine  of  cattle 
contains  mnch  less  of  carbonates  than  does  that  of  the  horse,  and  effer- 
vesces less  on  the  addition  of  an  acid.  As  the  carbonates  form  a  large 
proportion  of  the  solid  deposits  (gravel,  stone)  from  the  horse's  urine, 
the  ox  may  thus  be  held  less  liable;  yet  even  in  the  ox  the  carbonates 
become  abundant  or  scanty,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  food,  and 
therefore  gravel,  formed  by  carbonate  of  lime,  is  not  infrequent  in  cat- 
tle. When  fed  on  beets,  clover  hay,  or  bean  straw,  carbonates  are 
present  in  large  amount,  these  aliments  being  rich  in  organic  acids  and 
alkaline  carbonates;  whereas  upon  oat  straw,  barley  straw,  and,  above 
all,  wheat  straw,  they  are  in  small  amount.  In  calves  fed.  on  milk  alone 
no  carbonates  are  found  in  the  urine. 

Phosphates,  usually  in  combination  with  lime,  are,  as  a  rule,  present 
only  in  traces  in  the  urine  of  cattle;  yet,  on  a  dietary  of  wheat,  bran, 
or  other  aliment  rich  in  phosphates,  these  may  be  present  in  large 
amount,  so  that  they  render  the  liquid  cloudy  or  are  deposited  in  solid 
crystals.  The  liquid  is  rendered  transparent  by  nitric  acid. 

The  cow's  urine,  on  a  diet  of  hay  and  potatoes,  contained : 

Parts. 

Urea 18. 5 

Potassic  hippurate 16.  5 

Alkaline  lactates 17. 2 

Potassium  bicarbonate 16. 1 

Magnesium  carbonate 4.7 

Lime  carbonate 0. 6 

Potass,  sulphate 3.  G 

Common  salt 1.5 

Silica Trace. 

Phosphates 0.  0 

Water  and  undetermined  substances 921. 3 

Tota?. 1,000.0 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS. 


131) 


The  following  table  after  Tereg*  gives  the  different  conditions  of  the 
urine,  and  especially  the  amount  of  urea  and  hippurie  acid  under  dif- 
ferent rations.  The  subjects  were  two  oxen,  weighing  respectively  (1), 
1,2GO  pounds,  and  (2),  1,060  pounds: 


-3 

o 

13 

£•"= 

1 

•Z 

Food  per  day,  pounds. 

z 

1 

£ 

3 

« 

1 
0 

•5 

3 

jL 

Bg 

2 

"a 

I 

"Z  * 
3  ^ 

3 

2 

J 

A 

a 

r3 

«• 

_ 

a 

•c 

* 

S 

8 

*j  5,3 

O 

E 

z.  A 

& 

P 

ft 

1. 

W 

P 

'•'• 

H 

P 

« 

Lbt. 

Lbt. 

Pr.et. 

Pr.et. 

Pr.A. 

Per.  ct. 

Pr.et. 

Oz*. 

- 

Ozt. 

16.90  wheat  straw,  and  1  .30  bean 

meal      ......................... 

4C.  46 

7.40 

1036 

8.41 

2.66 

1.33 

0.83 

0.94 

1.63 

3.23 

14.  70  oat  straw,  and  2.30  bean  meal  . 

61.10 

15.26 

1039 

6.93 

2.09 

0.84 

0.55 

0.49 

2.2 

5.3 

10.4  wheat  straw,  10.4  clover  nay, 

0.6  bean  meal,  and  2.6  starch  

71.76 

12.36 

1043 

8.05 

0.95 

1.85 

0.93 

0.94 

3.83 

1.96 

10.4  wheat  straw,  10.4  clover  hay. 

2.7  bean  meal,  1.4  starch,  and  0.8 

«»i  crjtr 

80.54 

12.46 

1044 

8.29 

0.87 

2.41 

1.19 

1.11 

5.8 

2.1 

10.4  wheat  straw,  10.4  clover  hay, 

5  beau  meal    and  0.8  su^ar.  ..... 

78.96 

17.62 

1043 

8.41 

0.74 

3.12 

1.45 

L24 

9.17 

2.17 

In  xvln-at  straw,  10  cloverlmy,  6.4 

beau  meal,  1.7  starch,  4  sugar, 

and  0  4  rape  oil  ..'.............   . 

110.  12 

25.86 

1038 

7.00 

0.31 

2.49 

1.19 

1.25 

10.9 

1.33 

U)  wheat  straw,  10  clover  hay,  9.4 

beau  ineul,  3.1  sugar,  ami  0.4 

rape  oil  ........................ 

101.80 

27.04 

1037 

7.14 

0.20 

2.95 

1.39 

1.58 

13.3 

0.9 

10  wheat  straw,  10  clover  hay,  11.7 

bean-  meal,  2.8  start-  h,  and  0.6 

rape  oil  ..... 

110  00 

23.20 

1038 

7.74 

0.21 

4  06 

1.91 

1  69 

15.4 

0.8 

17.88  bean  straw,  and  1.6  beau  meal. 

54.84 

12.60 

1043 

7.06 

0.40 

2.53 

1.21 

1.15 

5.3 

0  H 

14.88  beanntraw  

55.76 

16.34 

1036 

5.45 

0.11 

1.41 

0.67 

0.64 

3.83 

0.3 

1  6  90  meadow  hay  

•     ••', 

15.  14 

1042 

7.91 

1.31) 

1.73 

0.91 

0.92 

4.37 

3.3 

The  varying  amount  of  urea  (from  1.0  to  lo.4  ounces)  is  most  sugges- 
tive as  to  the  action  of  the  more  or  less  nitrogenous  food  and  the 
resulting  concentration  of  the  urine  and  blood.  Hippurie  tic  id,  on  the 
o!h«T  hand,  is  most  abundant  when  the  animal  is  fed  on  hay  and  straw. 

The  specific  gravity  of  the  urine  of  cattle  varies  from  1.030  to  1.0(10 
in  health,  water  being  1,000.  It  is  transparent,  with  a  yellowish  tinge, 
and  has  a  characteristic  musky  smell.  The  chemical  reaction  is  alkaline, 
turning  red  litmus  paper  blue.  The  quantity  passed  in  24  hours  varies 
greatly,  increasing  not  only  with  the  amount  of  Avater  drunk,  but  with 
the  amount  of  albuminoids  taken  within  the  food  and  the  amount  of 
urea  produced.  If  a  solution  of  urea  is  injected  into  the  veins  the 
secretion  of  urine  is  greatly  augmented.  Similarly  the  excess  of  salts 
like  carbonate  of  j>otash  in  the  food,  or  of  sugar,  increases  the  action 
of  the  kidneys.  Only  alxmt  L'O  percent  of  the  water  swallowed  escapes 
in  the  urine,  the  remaining 80  percent  passing  mostly  from  the  lungs, 
and  to  a  slight  extent  by  the  bowels.  The  skin  of  the  ox  does  not  per- 
spire- so  readily  nor  so  freely  as  that  of  the  horse,  hence  the  kidneys  and 
lungs  are  called  upon  for  extra  work.  The  influence  of  an  excess  of 
water  in  the  food  is  most  remarkable  in  swill-fed  distillery  cattle,  which 
urinate  profusely  at  frequent  intervals  and  yet  thrive  and  fatten 
rapidly. 

Among  the  other  conditions  that  increase  the  tlow  of  urine  is  over- 
*  Kurxklop.  tier  ThuThnlk..  Vol.  IV,  j>.  L'tw. 


140  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

filling  of  (internal  pressure  in)  the  blood  vessels  of  the  kidneys. 
Hence  the  contraction  of  the  blood-vessels  of  the  skin  by  cold  drives 
the  blood  inward,  tends  to  dilate  the  blood-vessels  of  the  kidneys, 
and  to  increase  the  secretion  of  urine.  Nervous  disorders,  such  as 
excitement,  fear,  congestions,  or  structural  injuries  to  the  back  part 
of  the  base  of  the  brain,  have  a  similar  result.  Hence,  doubtless,  the 
action  of  certain  fungi  growing  in  musty  hay  or  oats  in  producing  pro- 
fuse flow  of  urine,  whereas  other  forms  of  musty  fodder  cause  stupor, 
delirium,  or  paralysis. 

The  amount  of  urine  passed  daily  by  an  ox  on  dry  feeding  averages 
7  to  12  pints,  but  this  may  be  increased  enormously  on  a  watery  diet. 

The  mutual  influence  of  the  kidneys  and  other  important  organs  tends 
to  explain  the  way  in  which  disease  in  one  part  supervenes  on  pre-ex- 
isting disorder  in  another.  The  introduction  of  albuminoids  in  excess 
into  the  blood  means  the  formation  of  an  excess  of  urea,  and  a  more 
profuse  secretion  of  urine,  of  a  higher  specific  gravity,  and  with  a  greater 
tendency  to  deposit  its  solid  constituents,  as  gravel,  in  the  kidneys  or 
bladder.  A  torpid  action  of  the  liver  having  the  albuminoids  in  transi- 
tion forms,  less  soluble  than  the  urea  into  which  they  should  have  been 
changed,  favors  the  onset  of  rheumatism  or  nervous  disorder,  the  de- 
posit of  such  albuminoid  products  in  the  kidneys,  the  formation  of  a 
deep  brown  or  reddish  urine,  and  congestion  of  the  kidneys.  Any  ab- 
normal activity  of  the  liver  in  the  production  of  sugar — more  than  can 
be  burned  up  in  the  circulation — overstimulates  the  kidneys  and  pro- 
duces increased  flow  of  a  heavy  urine  with  a  sweetish  taste.  This  in- 
creased production  of  sugar  may  be  primarily  due  to  disease  of  the 
brain,  which,  in  its  turn,  determines  the  disorder  of  the  liver.  Disease 
of  the  right  side  of  the  heart  or  of  the  lungs,  by  obstructing  the  onward 
flow  of  blood  from  the  veins,  increases  the  blood  pressure  in  the  kidneys 
and  produces  disorder  and  excessive  secretion.  Inactivity  of  the  kid- 
neys determines  an  increase  in  the  blood  of  waste  products,  which  become 
irritating  to  different  parts,  producing  skin  eruptions,  itching,  dropsies, 
and  nervous  disorders.  Sprains  of  the  loins  will  produce  bleeding  from 
the  kidneys  and  disease  of  the  spinal  cord,  and  determine  sometimes 
albuminous  or  milky-looking  urine. 

The  kidney  of  the  ox  (Plate  ix,  Fig.  1)  is  a  compound  organ  made  up 
of  fifteen  to  twenty-five  separate  lobules  like  so  many  separate  kidneys, 
but  all  pouring  their  secretion  into  one  common  pouch  (pelvis)  situated 
in  an  excavation  in  the  center  of  the  lower  surface.  While  the  ox  is 
the  only  domesticated  quadruped  which  maintains  this  divided  con- 
dition of  the  kidney  after  birth,  this  condition  is  common  to  all  while 
at  an  early  stage  of  development  in  the  Avomb.  The  cluster  of  lobules 
making  up  a  single  kidney  forms  an  ovoid  mass  flattened  from  above 
downward,  and  extending  from  the  last  rib  backward  beneath  the  loins 
and  to  one  side  of  the  solid  chain  of  the  backbone.  The  right  is  more 
firmly  attached  to  ohe  loins  and  extends  further  backward  than  the  left. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  141 

Deeply  covered  in  a  mass  of  suet,  each  kidney  has  a  strong  outer  white, 
fibrous  covering,  and  inside  this  two  successive  layers  of  kidney  sub- 
stance, of  which  the  outer  is  that  in  which  the  urine  is  mainly  separated 
from  the  blood  and  poured  into  the  fine  microscopic  urinary  ducts. 
( Plate  x,  Fig.  1. )  These  latter,  together  with  blood  vessels,  lymph  vessels, 
and  nerves,  make  up  the  second  or  internal  layer.  The  outer  layer  is 
mainly  composed  of  minute  globular  clusters  of  microscopic  intercom- 
municating blood-vessels  (Malphigian  bodies),  each  of  which  is  furnished 
with  a  fibrous  capsule  that  is  nothing  else  than  the  dilated  commence- 
ment of  a  urine  tube.  These  practically  microscopic  tubes  follow  at  first 
a  winding  course  through  the  outer  layer  (Ferrein's  tubes),  then  form  a 
long  loop  (doubling  on  itself)  in  the  inner  layer  (Henle's  loop),  and  finally 
pass  back  through  the  inner  layer  (Bellini's  tubes)  to  open  through  a 
conical  process  into  the  common  pouch  (pelvis)  on  the  lower  surface  of 
the  organ.  (Plate  x,  Figs.  1,  2,  3). 

The  tube  that  conveys  the  urine  from  the  kidney  to  the  bladder  is  like 
a  white  round  cord  about  the  size  of  a  goose-quill,  prolonged  from  the 
pouch  on  the  lower  surface  of  the  kidney  backward  beneath  the  loins, 
then  inward,  supported  by  a  fold  of  thin  membrane,  to  open  into  the 
bladder  just  in  front  of  its  neck.  The  canal  passes  first  through  the 
middle  (muscular)  coat  of  the  bladder,  and  then  advances  perceptibly 
between  that  and  the  internal  coat  (mucus),  through  which  it  finally 
opens.  By  this  arrangement  in  overfilling  of  the  bladder  this  opening 
is  closed  like  a  valve  by  the  pressure  of  the  urine,  and  the  return  of 
liquid  to  the  kidney  is  prevented.  The  bladder  (Plate  ix,  Fig.  2)  is  a 
dilatable  egg-shaped  pouch,  closed  behind  by  a  strong  ring  of  muscular 
fibers  encircling  its  neck,  and  enveloped  by  looped  muscular  fibers  ex- 
tending on  all  sides  round  its  body  and  closed  anterior  end.  Stimu- 
lated by  the  presence  of  urine,  these  last  contract  and  expel  the  con- 
tents through  the  neck  into  the  urethra.  This  last  is  the  tube  leading 
backward  along  the  floor  of  the  pelvic  bones  and  downward  through 
the  penis.  In  the  bull  this  canal  of  the  urethra  is  remarkable  for  its 
small  caliber  and  for  the  S-shaped  bend  which  it  describes  in  the  inter- 
val between  the  thighs  and  just  above  the  scrotum.  This  bend  is  due 
to  the  fact  that  the  retractor  muscles  are  attached  to  the  penis  at  this 
point,  and  in  withdrawing  that  organ  within  its  sheath  they  double  it 
upon  itself.  The  small  size,  of  the  canal  and  this  S-shaped  bend  are 
serious  obstacles  to  the  passing  of  a  catheter  to  draw  oft'  the  urine,  yet 
by  extending  the  penis  out  of  its  sheath  the  bend  is  effaced,  and  a  small 
gum-elastic  catheter,  not  over  one-quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  may 
with  care  be  passed  into  the  bladder.  In  the  cow  the  urethra  is  very 
short,  opening  in  the  median  line  on  the  floor  of  the  vulva  about  four 
inches  in  front  of  its  external  orifice.  Even  in  the  cow,  however,  the 
passing  of  a  catheter  is  a  matter  of  no  little  difticulty,  the  opening  of 
the  uretha  being  very  narrow  and  encircled  by  their  projecting  mem- 
branous and  ritfiu  mar-ins,  and  on  each  side  of  the  opening  is  a  blind 


142  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

pouch  (canal  of  Gartner)  into  which  the  catheter  -will  almost  invari- 
ably find  its  way.  In  both  male  and  female,  therefore,  the  passage  of 
a  catheter  is  an  operation  which  demands  special  skill. 

General  symptoms  of  urinary  disorders. — These  are  not  so  prominent 
in  cattle  as  in  horses,  yet  when  present  they  are  of  a  similar  kind. 
There  is  a  stiff  or  straddling  gait  with  the  hind  limbs  and  some  diffi- 
culty in  turning,  or  in  lying  down  and  rising — the  act  drawing  forth  a 
groan.  The  frequent  passage  of  urine  in  dribblets,  the  continuous 
escape  of  the  urine  in  drops,  the  sudden  arrest  of  the  flow  when  in 
full  stream,  the  rhythmic  contraction  of  the  muscles  under  the  anus 
without  any  flow  resulting,  the  swelling  of  the  sheath,  the  collection  of 
hard  gritty  masses  on  the  hair  surrounding  the  orifice  of  the  sheath, 
the  occurrence  of  dropsies  in  the  limbs,  under  the  chest  or  belly,  or  in 
either  of  these  cavities,  and  finally  the  appearance  of  nervous  stupor, 
may  indicate  serious  disorder  of  the  urinary  organs.  The  condition  of 
the  urine  passed  may  likewise  lead  to  suspicion.  It  may  be  white,  from, 
crystallized  carbonate  of  lime;  brown,  red,  or  even  black,  from  the 
presence  of  blood  or  blood-coloring  matter;  yellow,  from  biliary  color- 
ing matter;  it  may  be  frothy,  from  contained  albumen;  cloudy,  from 
phosphates  ;  glairy,  from  pus  ;  or  it  may  show  gritty  masses,  from 
gravel.  In  many  cases  of  urinary  disorder  in  the  ox,  however,  the 
symptoms  are  by  no  means  prominent,  and  unless  special  examination 
is  made  of  the  loins,  the  bladder,  and  the  urine,  the  true  nature  of  the 
malady  may  be  overlooked. 

DIURESIS — POLYURIA — DIABETES   INSIPIDUS — EXCESSIVE    SECRETION 

OF  URINE. 

A  secretion  of  urine  in  excess  of  the  normal  amount  may  be  looked 
on  as  disease,  even  if  the  result  does  not  lead  to  immediate  loss  of  con- 
dition. Cattle  fed  on  distillery  swill  are  striking  examples  of  such 
excess  caused  by  the  enormous  consumption  of  a  liquid  food,  which 
nourishes  and  fattens  in  spite  of  the  diuresis.  But  the  condition  is  un- 
wholesome, and  cattle  that  have  passed  four  or  five  months  in  a  swill 
stable  have  fatty  livers  and  kidneys,  and  never  again  do  well  on  ordi- 
nary food.  Diuresis  may  further  occur  from  increase  of  blood  pressure 
in  the  kidneys  (diseases  of  the  heart  or  lungs  which  hinder  the  onward 
passage  of  the  blood,  the  eating  of  digitalis,  English  broom,  the  con- 
traction of  the  blood  vessels  on  the  surface  of  the  body  in  cold  weather, 
etc.);  also  from  acrid  or  diuretic  plants  taken  with  the  food  (dandelion, 
burdock,  colchicum,  digitalis,  savin,  resinous  shoots,  etc.) ;  from  excess 
of  sugar  in  the  food  (beets,  turnips,  ripe  sorghum) ;  also  from  the  use  of 
frozen  food  (frosted  turnip- tops  and  other  vegetables);  and  from  the 
growths  of  certain  molds  in  fodder  (musty  hay,  mow-burnt  hay,  moldy 
oats,  moldy  bread,  etc.).  Finally,  alkaline  waters  and  alkaline  incrusta- 
tions on  the  soil  may  be  active  causes.  In  some  of  these  cases  the 
result  is  beneficial  rather  than  injurious,  as  when  cattle  affected  with 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  143 

gravel  ill  the  kidneys  are  entirely  freed  from  this  condition  by  a  run  at 
grass,  or  by  an  exclusive  diet  of  roots  or  swill.  In  other  cases,  how- 
ever, the  health  and  condition  suffer,  and  even  inflammation  of  the  kid- 
neys may  occur. 

The  treatment  is  mainly  in  the  change  of  diet  to  a  more  solid  aliment 
destitute  of  the  special  offensive  ingredient.  Boiled  flaxseed  is  often 
the  best  diet  or  addition  to  the  wholesome  dry  food,  and  by  way  of 
medicine,  doses  of  2  drams  each  of  sulphate  of  iron  and  iodide  of  potas- 
sium may  be  given  twice  daily.  In  obstinate  cases,  2  drams  ergot  of 
rye  or  of  catechu  may  be  added. 

BLOODY  URINE — BED-WATER — MOOR-ILL — WOOD-ILL — HJEMATURIA — 

HJEMAGLOBINURIA. 

This  is  a  common  affection  among  cattle  in  certain  localities,  above 
all  on  damp,  undrained  lands,  and  under  a  backward  agriculture.  It 
is  simple  bloody  urine  or  hrematuria  when  the  blood  is  found  in  clots, 
or  when  under  the  microscope  the  blood  globules  can  be  detected  as 
distinctly  rounded  flattened  discs.  It  is  smoky  urine — hamiaglobinu- 
ria — when  no  such  distinct  clots  nor  blood  discs  can  be  found,  but 
merely  a  general  browning,  reddening  or  blackening  of  the  urine  by 
the  presence  of  dissolved  blood- coloring  matter.  The  bloody  urine  is 
the  more  direct  result  of  structural  disease  of  the  kidneys  or  urinary 
;iges  (inflammation,  stone,  gravel,  tumors,  hydatids,  kidney  worms, 
sprains  of  the  loins),  while  the  stained  urine  (ha>maglobinuria)  is  usually 
the  result  of  some  general  or  more  distant  disorder  in  which  the  glob- 
uli-s  are  destroyed  in  the  circulating  blood  and  the  coloring  matter 
dissolved  in  and  diffused  through  the  whole  mass  of  the  blood  and  of 
the  urine  secreted  from  it.  As  in  the  two  forms,  blood,  and  the  ele- 
ments of  blood,  escape  into  the  urine,  albumen  is  always  present,  HO  that 
there  is  allmminuria  with  blood-coloring  matter  superadded.  If  due  to 
stone -or  gravel,  gritty  particles  are  usually  passed,  and  may  be  detected 
in  the  bottom  of  a  dish  in  which  the  liquid  is  caught.  If  due  to  frac- 
ture or  severe  sprain  of  the  loins  it  is  likely  to  be  associated  not  only 
with  some  loss  of  control  over  the  hind  limbs,  and  with  staggering 
l>ehind,  but  also  with  a  more  or  less  perfect  paralysis  of  the  tail.  The 
blood- stained  urine  without  rod  globules  results  from  specific  diseases, 
Texas  fever  (Plate  XLIII,  Fig.  3),  anthrax,  and  from  eating  irritant  plants 
(broom,  savin,  mercury,  hellebore,  ranunculus,  convolvulus,  colchicum, 
oak  shoots,  ash,  privet,  hazel,  hornbeam,  and  other  astringent,  acrid,  or 
resinous  plants,  etc.).  The  Maybug  or  Spanish  fly  taken  with  the  food 
or  spread  over  a  great  extent  of  skin  :is  a  blister  has  a  similar  action. 
Frosted  turnips  or  other  roots  will  bring  on  the  affection  in  some  sub 
jects.  Among  conditions  which  art  by  the  direct  destruction  of  the 
globules  in  the  circulating  blood,  may  be  named  an  excess  of  water  in 
that  fluid;  the  use  of  water  from  soils  rich  in  clcconi]>osmg  vegetable 
matter,  and  containing  alkaline  salts,  particularly  nitrites,  and  the 


144  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

presence  in  the  water  and  food  of  the  ptomaines  of  bacteria  growth — 
hence  the  prevalence  of  "  red- water  "  in  marshy  districts  and  on  clayey 
and  other  impervious  soils ;  hence,  too,  the  occurrence  of  bloody  urine 
in  the  advanced  stages  of  several  contagious  diseases.  Some  mineral 
poisons,  such  as  iodine,  arsenic,  and  phosphorus  taken  to  excess,  may 
cause  hrematuria,  and  finally  the  symptoms  may  be  the  mere  result  of 
a  constitutional  predisposition  of  the  individual  or  family  to  bleeding. 
Exposure  of  the  body  to  cold  or  wet  will  cause  the  affection  in  some  pre- 
disposed subjects. 

The  specific  symptom  of  bloody  or  smoky  water  is  a  very  patent  one. 
It  may  be  associated  with  fever  or  not,  with  the  presence  or  absence  of 
abdominal  tenderness  on  pressure,  with  a  very  frothy  state  of  the  milk 
or  even  a  reddish  tinge,  with  or  without  marked  paleness  of  the  mu- 
cous membranes  and  general  weakness.  When  direct  injury  to  the 
kidneys  is  the  immediate  cause  of  the  disease  the  urine  will  be  passed 
often,  in  small  quantity  at  a  time,  and  with  much  straining.  When 
there  is  bloodlessness  (a  watery  blood)  from  insufficient  nourishment, 
fever  is  absent  and  the  red  water  is  at  first  the  only  symptom.  When 
the  active  cause  has  been  irritant  plants,  abdominal  tenderness,  colics, 
and  other  signs  of  bowel  inflammation  are  marked  features. 

Treatment  will  vary  according  as  the  cause  has  been  a  direct  irritant 
operating  on  a  subject  in  vigorous  health  or  a  malarious  poison  acting 
on  an  animal  deficient  in  blood  and  vigor.  In  the  first  form  of  red- 
water  a  smart  purgative  (1  pound  to  1£  pounds  Glauber  salts)  will 
clear  away  the  irritants  from  the  bowels  and  allay  the  coexistent  high 
fever.  It  will  also  serve  to  divert  to  the  bowels  much  of  the  irritant 
products  already  absorbed  into  the  blood,  and  will  thus  protect  the 
kidneys.  In  many  such  cases  a  liberal  supply  of  wholesome,  easily 
digestible  food  will  be  all  the  additional  treatment  required.  In  this 
connection  demulcent  food  (boiled  flaxseed,  wheat  bran)  is  especially 
good.  If  much"  blood  has  been  lost,  bitters  (gentian,  one-half  ounce) 
and  iron  (sulphate  of  iron,  2  drams)  should  be  given  for  a  week. 

For  cases  in  which  excess  of  diuretic  plants  have  been  taken,  it  may 
be  well  to  replace  the  salts  by  1  to  2  pints  olive  oil,  adding  1  ounce 
laudanum  and  2  drams  gum  camphor.  Also  to  apply  fomentations  or  a 
fresh  sheepskin  over  the  loins.  Buttermilk  or  vinegar,  one-half  pint,  or 
sulphuric  acid,  60  drops  in  a  pint  of  water,  may  also  be  employed  at 
intervals  as  injections.  In  cases  due  to  sprained  or  fractured  loins,  to 
inflamed  kidneys,  or  to  stone  or  gravel,  the  treatment  will  be  as  for  the 
particular  disease  in  question. 

In  hfematuria  from  anemia  (watery  blood),  whether  from  insufficient 
or  badly-adjusted  rations,  or  from  the  poisonous  products  of  fermenta- 
tions in  impervious  or  marshy  soils,  the  treatment  must  be  essentially 
tonic  and  stimulating.  Rich,  abundant,  and  easily  digestible  food  must 
be  furnished.  The  different  grains  (oats,  barley,  wheat,  bran,  rye)  and 
seeds  (rape,  linseed,  cotton-seed)  are  especially  called  for,  and  may  be 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS  145 

given  either  ground  or  boiled.  As  a  bitter,  sulphate  of  quinia  one-half 
dram,  and  tincture  of  muriate  of  iron  2  drams,  may  be  given  in  a  pint 
of  water  thrice  a  day.  In  some  cases  one  or  two  teaspoonfuls  of  oil  of 
turpentine  twice  daily  in  milk  will  act  favorably. 

But  in  this  anaemic  variety  prevention  is  the  great  need.  The  drain- 
age and  cultivation  of  the  dangerous  soils  is  the  main  object.  Until 
this  can  be  accomplished  young  and  newly-purchased  cattle,  not  yet 
inured  to  the  poisons,  must  be  kept  from  the  dangerous  fields  and 
turned  only  on  those  which  are  already  drained  naturally  or  artificially. 
Further,  they  should  have  an  abundant  ration  in  which  the  local  pro- 
duct of  grass,  hay,  etc.,  is  supplemented  by  grain  or  other  seeds.  An- 
other point  to  be  guarded  against  is  the  supply  of  water  that  has 
drained  from  marshes  or  impervious  soils,  rich  in  organic  matter,  as 
such  is  charged  with  nitrites,  ptomaines,  etc.,  which  directly  conduce 
to  the  disorder.  Fence  out  from  all  such  waters,  and  supply  from  living 

springs  or  deep  wells  only. 
i 

ALBUMEN   IN   THE    URINE — ALBUMINURIA. 

Ill  bloody  urine  albumen  is  always  present  as  an  important  constitu- 
ent of  the  blood,  and  in  congested  and  inflamed  kidneys  it  is  present 
as  a  part  of  the  inflammatory  exudate.  Apart  from  these  albumen  in 
the  urine  represents  in  different  cases  a  variety  of  diseased  conditions 
of  the  kidneys  or  of  distant  organs.  Among  the  additional  causes  of 
albuminuria  may  be  named :  (1)  An  excess  of  albumen  in  the  blood 
(after  easy  calving  with  little  loss  of  blood  and  before  the  secretion  of 
milk  has  been  established,  or  in  cases  of  sudden  suppression  of  the 
secretion  of  milk);  (2)  under  increase  of  blood  pressure  (after  deep 
drinking,  after  doses  of  digitalis  or  broom,  after  transfusion  of  blood 
from  one  animal  to  another,  or  in  disease  of  the  heart  or  lungs  causing 
obstruction  to  the  flow  of  blood  from  the  veins);  (3)  after  cutting  (or 
disease)  of  the  motor  nerves  of  the  vessels  going  to  the  kidneys,  causing 
congestion  of  these  organs;  (4)  violent  exertion,  hence  long  drives  by 
road;  the  same  happens  with  violent  muscular  spasms  as  from  strychnia 
poisoning,  lockjaw,  epilepsy,  and  convulsions;  (.">)  in  most  fevers  and 
extensive  inflammations  important  organs,  like  the  lungs',  or  liver,  the 
escape  of  the  albumen  bring  variously  attributed  to  the  high  tempera- 
ture of  the  body  and  disorder  of  the  nerves,  and  to  resulting  congestion 
and  disorder  of  the  secreting  cells  of  the  kidneys;  (0)  in  burns  and  some 
other  congested  states  of  the  skin;  (7)  under  the,  action  of  certain  poi. 
sons  (strong  acids,  phosphorus,  arsenic,  Spanish  flies,  carbolic  acid,  ami 
those  inducing  bloody  urine);  (S)  in  certain  conditions  of  weakness  or 
congestion  of  the  secreting  cells  of  the  kidneys,  so  that  they  allow  this 
element  of  the  blood  to  escape;  (0)  when  the  food  is  entirely  wanting 
in  common  salt,  albumen  may  appear  in  the  urine  temporarily  after  a 
full  meal  containing  an  excess  of  albumen.  It  can  also  be  produced 
experimentally  by  puncturing  the  back  part  of  the  base  <>t  'the  hrain 
J46U7 10 


146  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

(the  floor  of  the  fourth  ventricle  close  to  the  point  the  injury  to  which 
causes  sugary  urine).  In  abscess,  tumor,  or  inflammation  of  the  blad- 
der, ureter  or  urethra,  the  urine  is  albuminous. 

It  follows,  therefore,  that  albumen  in  the  urine  does  not  indicate  the 
existence  of  any  one  specific  disease,  and  excepting  when  due  to  weak- 
ness or  loss  of  function  of  the  kidney  cells,  it  must  be  looked  on  as  an 
attendant  on  another  disease,  the  true  nature  of  which  we  must  try  to 
find  out.  These  affections  we  must  exclude  one  by  one  until  we  are  left 
to  assume  the  non-inflammatory  disorder  of  the  secreting  cells  of  the 
kidney.  It  is  especially  important  to  exclude  inflammation  of  the  kid- 
ney, and  to  do  this  may  require  a  microscopic  examination  of  the  sedi- 
ment of  the  urine  and  the  demonstration  of  the  entire  absence  of  casts 
of  the  uriniferous  tubes.  (See  Nephritis.) 

To  detect  albumen  in  the  urine,  the  suspected  and  frothy  liquid  must 
be  rendered  sour  by  adding  a  few  drops  of  nitric  acid  and  then  boiled 
in  a  test  tube.  If  a  solid  precipitate  forms  then  add  a  few  more  drops  of 
nitric  acid,  and  if  the  liquid  does  not  clear  it  up  it  is  albumen.  A  pre- 
cipitate thrown  down  by  boiling  and  redissolved  by  nitric  acid  is  prob- 
ably phosphate  of  lime. 

Treatment  will  usually  be  directed  to  the  disease  on  which  it  is  de- 
pendent. In  the  absence  of  any  other  recognizable  disease,  mucilaginous 
drinks  of  boiled  flaxseed,  slippery  elm,  or  gum  may  be  given,  tannic  acid 
one-half  dram  twice  daily,  and  fomentations  or  even  mustard  poultices 
over  the  loins.  When  the  disease  is  chronic  and  there  is  no  attendant 
fever  (elevation  of  temperature),  tonics  (hydrochloric  acid,  6  drops  in  a 
pint  of  water ;  phosphate  of  iron,  2  drams,  or  sulphate  of  quinia,  2  drams, 
repeated  twice  daily)  may  be  used.  In  all  cases  the  patient  should  be 
kept  carefully  from  cold  and  wet;  a  warm,  dry  shed  or  in  warm  weather 
a  dry,  sunny  yard  or  pasture  being  especially  desirable. 

SUGAR   IN   URINE — DIABETES  MELLITUS. 

This  is  a  frequent  condition  of  the  urine  in  parturition  fever,  but  is 
practically  unknown  in  cattle  as  a  specific  disease,  associated  with 
deranged  liver  or  brain.  As  a  mere  attendant  on  another  disease  it 
will  demand  no  special  notice  here. 

INFLAMMATION   OF   THE   KIDNEYS — NEPHRITIS. 

This  has  been  divided  according  as  it  affects  the  different  parts  of 
the  kidneys,  as :  (1)  Its  fibrous  covering  (perinephritis) ;  (2)  the  secret- 
ing tissue  of  its  outer  portion  (parenchymatous) ;  (3)  the  connective 
tissue  (interstitial) ;  (4)  the  lining  membrane  of  its  ducts  (catarrhal) ;  and 
(5)  its  pelvis  or  sac  receiving  the  urine  (pyelitis).  It  has  also  been 
distinguished  according  to  the  changes  that  take  place  in  the  kidney, 
especially  as  seen  after  death,  according  to  the  amount  of  albumen 
present  in  the  urir.e,  and  according  as  the  affection  is  acute  or  chronic. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  147 

For  the  purposes  of  this  work  it  will  be  convenient  to  consider  these 
as  one  inflammatory  disease,  making  a  distinction  merely  between  those 
that  are  acute  and  those  that  are  chronic  or  of  long  standing. 

The  causes  are  in  the  main  like  those  causing  bloody  urine,  such  as 
irritant  and  diuretic  plants,  Spanish  flies  applied  as  a  blister  or  other- 
wise, exposure  to  cold  and  wet,  the  presence  of  stone  or  gravel  in  the 
kidneys,  injuries  to  the  back  or  loins,  as  by  riding  each  other,  the  drink- 
ing of  alkaline  or  selenitiotis  water,  the  use  of  putrid,  stagnant  water, 
or  of  that  containing  bacteria  and  their  products,  the  consumption  of 
musty  fodder,  etc.  (See  Hreinaturia.) 

The  length  of  the  loins  in  cattle  predisposes  these  to  mechanical 
injury,  and  in  the  lean  and  especially  in  the  thin  working  ox  the  kid- 
ney is  very  liable  to  suffer.  In  the  absence  of  an  abundance  of  loose 
connective  tissue  and  of  fat,  the  kidneys  lie  in  close  contact  with  the 
muscles  of  the  loins,  and  any  injury  to  these  may  tend  to  put  the  kid- 
ney and  its  vessels  on  the  stretch,  or  to  cause  its  inflammation  by  direct 
extension  of  the  disease  from  the  injured  muscle  to  the  adjacent  kidney. 
Thus,  under  unusually  heavy  draft,  under  slips  and  falls  on  slippery 
ground,  under  sudden  unexpected  drooping  or  twisting  of  the  loins 
from  missteps  or  from  the  feet  sinking  into  holes,  under  the  loading  and 
jarring  of  the  loins  when  animals  ride  each  other  in  cases  of  "  heat," 
the  kidneys  are  subjectto  injury  and  inflammation.  A  hard  run,  as  when 
chased  by  a  dog,  may  be  the  occasion  of  such  an  attack.  A  fodder 
rich  in  nitrogenous  or  flesh-forming  elements  (brans,  peas,  vetches 
[Vicia  satira],  and  other  leguminous  plants),  has  been  charged*  with  irri- 
tating the  kidneys  through  the  excess  of  urea,  hippuric  acid,  and  allied 
products  eliminated  through  these  organs  and  the  tendency  to  the  for- 
'  mation  of  gravel.  It  seems,  however,  that  these  foods  are  most  dan- 
gerous when  partially  ripened  and  yet  not  fully  matured,  a  stage  of 
growth  at  which  they  are  apt  to  contain  ingredients  irritating  to  the 
stomach  and  poisonous  to  the  brain,  as  seen  in  their  inducing  so-called 
"  stomach  staggers."  Even  in  the  poisoning  by  tho  seeds  of  ripened 
but  only  partially  cured  rye  grass  (LoUum  perennc),  and  darnel  (Loliinn 
temvlentvm),  the  kidneys  are  found  violently  congested  with  black  blood. 
Also  in  the  indigestions  that  result  from  the  eating  of  partially  ripened 
corn  and  millet,  some  congestion  of  the  kidneys  is  an  attendant  phe- 
nomenon. 

Cruzel  claims  that  the  disease  as  occurring  locally  is  usually  not 
alone  from  the  acrid  and  resinous  plants  charged  with  inducing  lurma- 
turia,  but  also  from  stinking  chamomile  (Anthemis  cotula)  and  field 
poppy  when  used  in  the  fresh,  succulent  condition;  also  from  the  great 
prevalence  of  dead  caterpillars  on  the  pasture,  or  from  dead  Spanish 
flies  in  the  stagnant  pools  of  water.  The  fresh  plants  are  believed  to 
be  injurious  only  by  reason  of  a  volatile  oil  which  is  dissipated  in  dry- 
ing. In  the  case  of  the  stagnant  water  it  may  bo  questioned  whether 
the  chemical  products  of  the  contained  ferments  (bacteria)  are  not  more 


148  .  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

frequently  the  cause  of  the  evil  than  the  alleged  Spanish  flies,  though 
these  are  hurtful  enough  when  present. 

Inflammation  of  the  kidneys  may  further  be  a  form  or  an  extension  of 
a  specific  contagious  disease,  such  as  erysipelas,  rinderpest,  septicaemia, 
or  even  of  poisoning  by  the  spores  of  fungi.  Rivolta  reports  the  case  of  a 
cow  with  spots  of  local  congestion  and  blood  staining  in  the  kidney,  the 
affected  parts  being  loaded  with  bacteria.  Unfortunately  he  neither 
cultivated  the  bacteria  nor  inoculated  them,  and  thus  the  case  stands 
without  positive  demonstration  that  these  were  the  cause  of  disease. 

The  symptoms  of  nephritis  are  in  certain  cases  very  manifest,  and  in 
others  so  hidden  that  the  existence  of  the  affection  can  only  be  cer- 
tainly recognized  by  a  microscopic  examination  of  the  urine.  In  violent 
cases  there  is  high  fever,  increase  of  the  body  temperature  to  103°  F. 
and  upward,  hurried  breathing  with  catching  inspiration,  accelerated 
pulse,  dry,  hot  muzzle,  burning  of  the  roots  of  the  horns  and  ears,  loss 
of  appetite,  suspended  rumination,  and  indications  of  extreme  sensitive- 
ness in  the  loins.  The  patient  stands  with  back  arched  and  hind  legs 
extended  backward  and  outward,  and  passes  water  frequently,  in  drib- 
lets, of  a  high  color  and  specific  gravity,  containing  albumen  and  micro- 
scopic casts.  (Plate  xi,  Fig.  5.)  When  moved  the  patient  does  so  with 
hesitation  and  groaning,  especially  if  turned  in  a  narrow  circle;  and 
when  pinched  on  the  flank,  just  beneatli  the  lateral  bony  processes  of 
the  loins,  especially  on  that  side  on  which  the  disease  predominates, 
it  flinches  and  groans.  If  tlie  examination  is  made  with  the  oiled  hand 
introduced  through  the  last  gut  (rectum)  the  pressure  upward  on  the 
kidneys  gives  rise  to  great  pain  and  efforts  to  escape  by  moving  away, 
and  by  active  contractions  of  the  rectum  for  the  expulsion  of  the  hand. 
Sometimes  there  is  a  distinct  swelling  over  the  loins  or  quarter  on  one 
or  both  sides.  In  uncastrated  males  the  testicle  on  the  affected  side  is 
drawn  up,  or  is  alternately  raised  and  dropped.  In  all  there  is  a  lia- 
bility to  tremors  of  the  thigh  on  the  side  affected. 

In  some  severe  cases  colicky  pains  are  as  violent  as  in  the  worst  forms 
of  indigestion  and  spasms  of  the  bowels.  The  animal  frequently  shifts 
from  one  hind  foot  to  the  other,  stamps,  kicks  at  the  belly,  looks  anx- 
iously at  its  flank  at  frequent  intervals,  moans  plaintively,  lies  down 
and  quickly  gets  up  again,  grinds  its  teeth,  twists  its  tail,  and  keeps 
the  back  habitually  arched  and  rigid  and  the  hind  feet  advanced  under 
the  belly.  The  bowels  may  be  costive  and  the  feces  glistening  with  a 
coat  of  mucus,  or  they  may  be  loose  and  irritable,  and  the  paunch  or 
even  the  bowels  may  become  distended  with  gas  (bloating)  as  the  result 
of  indigestion  and  fermentation.  In  some  animals,  male  and  female 
alike,  the  rigid  arched  condition  of  the  back  will  give  way  to  such  un- 
dulating movements  as  are  sometimes  seen  in  the  act  of  coition. 

The  disease  does  not  always  appear  in  its  full  severity,  but  for  a  day 
or  even  two  there  may  be  merely  loss  of  appetite,  impaired  rumination, 
a  disposition  to  remain  lying  down;  yet  when  the  patient  is  raised,  it 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  149 

manifests  suffering  by  anxious  looking  at  the  flanks,  shifting  or  stamp- 
ing of  the  hind  feet,  shaking  of  the  tail,  and  attempts  to  urinate,  which 
are  either  fruitless  or  lead  to  the  discharge  of  a  small  quantity  of  high 
colored  or  perhaps  bloody  urine. 

In  some  recent  slight  cases,  and  in  many  chronic  ones,  these  symp- 
toms may  be  absent  or  unobserved,  and  an  examination  of  the  urine 
will  be  necessary  to  reach  a  safe  conclusion.  The  urine  may  contain 
blood,  or  it  may  be  cloudy  from  contained  albumen  which  coagulates  on 
heating  with  nitric  acid  (see  Albumiimria) ;  it  may  be  slightly 
glairy  from  pus,  or  gritty  particles  may  be  detected  in  it.  In  seeking 
for  casts  of  the  uriniferous  tubes,  a  drop  may  be  taken  with  a  fine  tube 
from  the  bottom  of  the  liquid  after  standing  and  examined  under  a 
power  magnifying  50  diameters.  If  the  fine  cylindroid  filaments  are 
seen  they  may  then  be  examined  with  a  power  of  200  or  250  diameters. 
(Plate  xi,  Fig.  5.)  The  appearance  of  the  casts  gives  some  clue  to  the 
condition  of  the  kidneys.  If  made  up  of  large  rounded  or  slightly 
columnar  cells,  with  a  single  nucleus  in  each  cell  (epithelial),  they  imply 
comparatively  slight  and  recent  disease  of  the  kidney  tubes,  the  detach- 
ment of  the  epithelium  being  like  what  is  seen  in  any  inflamed  mucous 
surface.  If  made  up  largely  of  the  small  disk-shaped  and  nonnucleated 
red  blood  globules,  they  imply  escape  of  blood,  and  usually  a  recent  injury 
or  congestion  of  the  kidney — it  may  be  from  sprains,  blows,  or  the  in- 
gestion  of  acrid  or  diuretic  poisons.  If  the  casts  are  made  of  a  clear, 
waxy,  homogeneous  substance  (hyaline),  without  any  admixture  ot 
opaque  particles,  they  imply  an  inflammation  of  longer  standing,  in 
which  the  inflamed  kidney  tubules  have  been  already  stripped  of  their 
cellular  (epithelial)  lining.  If  the  casts  are  rendered  opaque  by  the 
presence  of  minute  spherical  granular  cells,  like  white  blood  globules, 
it  betokens  active  suppuration  of  the  kidney  tubes.  In  other  cases  the 
casts  are  rendered  opaque  by  entangled  earthy  granules  (carbonate  of 
lime),  or  crystals  of  some  other  urinary  salts.  In  still  other  cases  the 
casts  entangle  clear,  refrangcnt  globules  of  oil  or  fat,  which  may  im- 
ply fatty  degeneration  of  the  kidneys  or  injury  to  the  spinal  cord.  The 
presence  of  free  pus  giving  a  glairy,  flocculent  appearance  to  the  urine 
is  suggestive  of  inflammation  of  the  urinary  pouch  at  the  Commence- 
ment of  the  excretory  duct  (pelvis  of  kidney)  (Plate,  ix,  Fig.  1),  espe- 
cially if  complicated  with  gritty  particles  of  earthy  salts.  This  condi- 
tion is  known  as  pyelitis.  In  the  chronic  cases  swelling  of  the  logs  or 
along  the  lower  surface  of  chest  or  abdomen,  or  within  these  respective 
cavities,  is  a  common  symptom.  So,  also,  stupor  or  coma,  or  even  con- 
vulsions, may  supervene  from  the  poisonous  action  of  urea  and  other 
waste  or  morbid  products  retained  in  the  blood. 

In  the  treatment  of  acute  nephritis  the  tirst  consideration  is  the  re- 
moval of  the  cause.  Acrid  or  diuretic  plants  in  the  food  must  be 
removed,  and  what  of  this  kind  is  present  in  the  stomach  or  bowels 
may  be  cleared  avray  by  a  moderate  dose  of  castor  or  olive  oil;  exten- 


150  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

sive  surfaces  of  inflammation  that  have  been  blistered  by  Spanish  flies 
must  be  washed  clean  with  soapsuds;  sprains  of  the  back  or  loins 
must  be  treated  by  soothing  fomentations  or  poultices,  or  by  a  fresh 
sheepskin  with  its  fleshy  side  applied  on  the  loins,  and  the  patient  must 
be  kept  in  a  narrow  stall  in  which  it  can  not  turn  even  its  head.  The 
patient  must  be  kept  in  a  warm,  dry  building,  so  that  the  skin  shall  be 
kept  active  rather  thau  the  kidneys.  Warm  blanketing  is  equally  im- 
portant, and  even  mustard  poultices  over  the  loins  will  be  useful. 
Blisters  of  Spanish  flies,  turpentine,  or  other  agent  which  may  be 
absorbed  and  irritate  the  kidneys  must  be  avoided.  The  active  fever 
may  be  checked  by  15  drops  tincture  of  aconite  every  four  hours,  or  by 
one-third  ounce  acetanilid.  If  pain  is  very  acute  1  ounce  laudanum, 
or  2  drams  solid  extract  of  belladonna  will  serve  to  relieve.  When  the 
severity  of  the  disease  has  passed,  a  course  of  tonics  (quinia,  2  drams, 
or  gentian  powder,  2  drams  daily)  may  be  given.  Diuretics,  too,  may 
be  cautiously  given  at  this  advanced  stage  to  relieve  dropsy  and  give 
tone  to  the  kidneys  and  general  system  (oil  of  turpentine,  2  teaspoon- 
fuls;  bicarbonate  of  soda,  1  teaspoonful,  repeated  twice  a  day).  Pure 
water  is  essential,  and  it  should  not  be  given  chilled ;  warm  drinks  are 
preferable. 

In  the  chronic  forms  of  kidney  inflammation  the  same  protection 
against  cold  and  similar  general  treatment  are  demanded.  Tonics, 
however,  are  important  to  improve  the  general  health  (phosphate  of 
iron,  2  drams;  powdered  nux  vomica,  20  grains;  powdered  gentian  root, 
4  drams,  daily).  In  some  instances  the  mineral  acids  (nitric  acid,  60 
drops,  or  nitro-muriatic  acid,  60  drops,  daily)  may  be  employed  with  the 
bitters.  Mustard  applied  to  the  loins  in  the  form  of  a  thin  pulp  made 
with  water  and  covered  for  an  hour  with  paper  or  other  impervious 
envelope,  or  water  hotter  than  the  hand  can  bear,  or  cupping  may  be 
resorted  to  as  a  counterirritant.  In  cupping  shave  the  loins,  smear 
them  with  lard,  then  take  a  narrow-mouthed  glass,  expand  the  air 
within  it  by  smearing  its  interior  with  a  few  drops  of  alcohol,  setting  it 
on  fire  and  instantly  pressing  the  mouth  of  the  vessel  to  the  oiled  por- 
tion of  the  skin.  As  the  air  within  the  vessel  cools  it  contracts,  tend- 
ing to  form  a  partial  vacuum,  and  the  skin,  charged  with  blood,  is 
strongly  drawn  up  within  it.  Several  of  these  being  applied  at  once  a 
strong  derivation  from  the  affected  kidneys  is  secured.  In  no  case  of 
inflamed  or  irritable  kidney  should  Spanish  flies  or  oil  of  turpentine  be 
used  upon  the  skin. 

PARASITES   OF   THE   KIDNEY. 

As  the  kidney  is  the  usual  channel  by  which  the  bacteria  leave  the 
system,  this  organ  is  liable  to  be  implicated  when  microphytes  exist  in 
the  blood,  and  congestions  and  blood  extravasations  are  produced. 
In  anthrax,  Southarn  cattle  fever  (Texas  fever),  and  other  such  affec- 
tions bloody  urine  is  the  consequence.  Of  the  larger  parasites  attack- 


DISEASES   OF   THE    URINARY   ORGANS.  151 

ing  the  kidney  may  be  specially  named  the  cystic  form  of  the  echino- 
coccus  tapeworm  of  the  dog,  the  cystic  form  of  the  unarmed  or  beef 
tapeworm  of  man,  the  diving  bladderworm — the  cystic  form  of  the 
marginate  tapeworm  of  the  dog,  and  the  giant  strongyle — the  largest  of 
the  round  worms.  These  give  rise  to  general  symptoms  of  kidney  dis- 
ease, but  the  true  source  of  the  trouble  is  only  likely  to  be  detected,  if 
the  heads  or  hooklets  of  the  tape-worm  or  the  eggs  of  the  round  worm 
are  found  on  microscopic  examination  of  the  urine. 

TUMORS   OF   THE    KIDNEY — HYPERTROPHY — ATROPHY. 

The  kidney  may  be  the  seat  of  cancerous  or  simple  tumors,  and  it 
may  be  unnaturally  enlarged  or  reduced  in  size,  but  though  there  may 
be  signs  of  urinary  disorder  the  true  nature  of  the  disease  is  seldom 
manifest  until  after  death.  The  passing  of  blood  and  of  large  multi- 
nucleated  cells  in  the  urine  (to  be  detected  under  the  microscope)  may 
betray  the  existence  of  an  ulcerated  cancer  of  the  kidney.  The  pres- 
ence of  cancerous  enlargement  of  (superficial)  lymphatic  glands  may 
further  assist  and  confirm  the  decision. 

RETENTION    OF    URINE. 

Inability  to  pass  urine  may  come  from  any  one  of  three  conditions: 
1st,  spasm  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder;  2d,  paralysis  of  the  body  of 
the  bladder;  3d,  obstruction  of  the  channel  of  outlet  by  a  stone  (cal- 
culus), (see  Plate  xi),  or  other  obstacle. 

In  spasm  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder  the  male  animal  may  stand  with 
the  tail  slightly  raised,  and  making  rhythmical  contractions  of  the 
muscle  beneath  the  anus  (accderatio  urincc)  (see  Plate  ix,  Fig.  2),  but 
without  passing  a  drop  of  liquid.  In  the  female  the  hind  legs  are  ex- 
tended and  widely  parted,  and  the  back  is  arched  as  if  to  urinate,  but 
the  effort  is  vain.  If  the  oiled  hand  is  introduced  into  the  rectum  or 
vagina,  in  the  early  stages  of  the  affection,  the  bladder  may  be  felt 
beneath  partially  filled,  but  not  overdistended  with  liquid,  and  its  nock 
or  mouth  firm  and  rigid.  In  the  more  advanced  stages  of  the  affection 
the  organ  is  felt  as  a  great,  tense,  elastic  bag,  extending  forward  into 
the  abdomen.  In  this  condition  the  ovcrdistended  musrulur  coat  of 
the  bladder  had  lost  its  power  of  contraction,  so  that  true  paralysis  has 
set  in,  the  muscle  closing  the  mouth  of  the  sack  alone  retaining  its 
normal  contractile  power. 

In  paralyttin  of  the  body  of  the  bladder  attention  is  rarely  drawn  to 
the  urinary  disorder  until  the  bladder  has  been  distended  to  full  reple- 
tion, and  is  almost  ready  to  give  way  by  rupture  and  to  allow  the  escape 
of  the  contained  liquid  into  the  abdomen.  Overdistvntion  is  the  most 
common  cause  of  the  paralysis,  yet  it  may  occur  from  inflammation  of 
the  muscular  wall  of  the  bladder,  or  even  from  injury  to  the  terminal 
part  of  the  spinal  marrow.  In  this  last  condition,  however,  the  tail  is 


152  DISEASES    OF    CA.TTLE. 

likely  to  be  powerless,  and  the  neck  of  the  bladder  may  also  be  par- 
alyzed so  that  the  urine  dribbles  away  continuously. 

Causes. — Among  the  causes  of  spasm  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder  may 
be  named  the  lodgment  of  small  stones  or  gravel,  the  feeding  on  irritant 
diuretics  (see  Bloody  Urine,  Nephritis),  the  enforced  retention  of  urine 
while  at  work,  or  during  a  painful  or  difficult  parturition.  The  irrita- 
tion attendant  on  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  bladder 
may  be  a  further  cause  of  spasm  of  the  neck,  as  may  also  be  inflamma- 
tion of  the  channel  (urethra)  back  of  the  neck.  Extensive  applications 
of  Spanish  flies  to  the  skin,  the  abuse  of  diuretics,  and  the  occurrence 
of  indigestion  and  spasms  of  the  bowels  are  further  causes.  So  long  as 
spasmodic  colic  is  unrelieved  retention  of  water  from  spasm  of  the  neck 
of  the  bladder  usually  persists. 

Treatment  will  depend  largely  on  the  cause.  In  indigestion  the  irri- 
tant contents  of  the  bowels  must  be  got  rid  of  by  laxatives  and  injections 
of  warm  water  5  Spanish-fly  blisters  must  be  washed  from  the  surface ; 
a  prolonged  and  too  active  exertion  must  be  intermitted.  The  spasm 
may  be  relaxed  by  injecting  one-half  ounce  solid  extract  of  balladonna 
ill  water  into  the  rectum  or  by  a  solution  of  tobacco.  Chloroform  or 
ether  may  be  given  by  inhalation,  or  chloral  hydrate  1  ounce  may  be 
given  in  water  by  the  mouth.  Fomentations  of  warm  water  may  be 
made  over  the  loins  and  between  the  thighs,  and  the  oiled  hand  in- 
serted into  the  rectum  may  press  moderately  on  the  anterior  part  of  the 
bladder,  which  can  be  felt  as  an  elastic  fluctuating  bag  of  an  oval  shape 
just  beneath. 

All  other  measures  failing,  the  liquid  must  be  drawn  off'  through  a 
tube  (catheter).  This  is,  however,  exceedingly  difficult  alike  in  male 
and  female,  and  we  can  not  expect  an  amateur  to  succeed  in  accom- 
plishing it.  In  the  cow  the  opening  into  the  bladder  is  found  in  the 
median  line  of  the  floor  of  the  generative  entrance,  about  4  inches  in 
front  of  the  external  opening,  but  it  is  flanked  on  either  side  by  a  blind 
pouch  into  which  the  catheter  will  pass  in  99  cases  out  of  100  in  the 
hands  of  any  but  the  most  skilled  operator.  In  the  bull  or  steer  the 
penis,  when  retracted  into  its  sheath,  is  bent  upon  itself  like  the  letter 
S,  just  above  the  scrotum  and  testicles  (see  Plate  ix,  Fig.  2),  and  unless 
this  bend  is  effaced  by  extending  the  organ  forward  out  of  its  sheath 
it  is  quite  impossible  to  pass  a  catheter  beyond  this  point.  When,  how- 
ever, the  animal  can  be  tempted  by  the  presentation  of  a  female  to  pro- 
trude the  penis  so  that  it  can  be  seized  and  extended,  or  when  it 
can  be  manipulated  forward  out  of  the  sheath,  it  becomes  possible 
to  pass  a  catheter  of  small  caliber  (one-third  inch  or  under)  onward 
into  the  bladder.  Youatt  advised  to  lay  open  the  sheath  so  as  to 
reach  and  extend  the  penis,  and  others  have  advocated  opening 
the  urethra  in  the  interval  between  the  thighs  or  just  beneath 
the  anus,  but  such  formidable  operations  are  beyond  the  stockowner. 
The  incision  of  the  narrow  urethra  through  the  great  thickness  of 


DISEASES    OF   THE    URINARY   ORGANS.  153 

muscular  and  erectile  bleeding  tissue  just  beneath  the  anus  is  es- 
pecially an  operation  of  extreme  delicacy  and  difficulty.  Draw- 
ing off  the  liquid  through  the  tube  of  an  aspirator  is  another  pos- 
sible resort  for  the  professional  man.  The  delicate  needle  of  the  aspi- 
rator is  inserted  in  such  cases  through  the  floor  of  the  vagina  and  up- 
per wall  of  the  bladder  in  the  female,  or  through  the  floor  of  the  rectum 
(last  gut)  and  roof  of  the  bladder  in  the  male,  or  finally  through  the 
lower  and  back  part  of  the  abdominal  wall,  just  in  front  of  the  bones  of 
the  pelvis  (pubic  bones),  and  thence  through  the  lower  and  anterior  part 
of  the  bladder  near  its  blind  anterior  end.  After  relief  has  been  ob- 
tained the  administration  of  belladonna  in  2  dram  doses  daily  for  sev- 
eral days  will  tend  to  prevent  a  recurrence  of  the  retention. 

When  the  body  of  the  bladder  has  become  benumbed  or  paralyzed  by 
overdistention,  we  may  seek  to  restore  its  tone  by  doses  of  one-half  a 
dram  of  powdered  mix  vomica  repeated  daily,  and  by  mustard  plasters 
applied  over  the  loins,  on  the  back  part  of  the  belly  inferiorly,  or  be 
tween  the  thighs.  Small  doses  (2  drams)  balsam  of  copaiva  are  some- 
times useful  in  imparting  tone  to  the  partly  paralyzed  organ. 

INCONTINENCE   OF   URINE — PALSY   OF    THE   NECK  OF    THE   BLADDER. 

This  may  occur  from  disease  or  injury  to  the  posterior  part  of 
the  spinal  cord,  or  from  broken  back,  and  in  these  cases  the  tail  is 
likely  tc  be  paralyzed,  and  it  may  be  also  the  hind  limbs.  In  this  case 
the  urine  dribbles  away  constantly,  and  the  oiled  hand  in  the  vagina 
or  rectum  will  feel  the  half  filled  and  flaccid  bladder  beneath,  and  may 
easily  ewpty  it  by  pressure. 

Treatment  is  only  successful  when  the  cause  of  the  trouble  can  be 
remedied.  After  these  (sprains  of  the  back,  etc.)  have  recovered, 
blisters  (mustard)  on  the  loins,  the  lower  part  of  the  abdomen,  or  be- 
tween the  thighs,  may  be  resorted  to  with  success.  Two  drains  daily 
of  copaiva,,  or  of  solid  extract  of  belladonna,  or  two  grains  Spanish  flies 
may  serve  to  restore  the  lost  tone.  These  failing,  the  use  of  electric 
currents  may  still  prove  successful. 

URINARY    CALCULI — STONE — GRAVEL. 
[Plato  XI,  Figs,  1,2,3.) 

Stone  or  gravel  consists  in  hard  bodies  mainly  made  up  of  the  solid 
earthy  constituents  of  the  urine  which  have  crystalli/ed  out  of  that 
liquid  at  sonic  part  of  the  urinary  passage,  and  have  remained  as  small 
particles  (gravel),  or  have  concreted  into  large  masses  (stono,  calculus). 
In  cattle  it  is  no  uncommon  thing  to  find  them  distending  tho  practi- 
cally microscopic  tubes  in  the  rod  substance  of  tho  kidney,  having  boon 
deposited  from  the  urino  in  the  solid  form  almost  as  soon  as  that  liquid 
has  been  separated  from  the  blood.  Those  stones  appear  as  white  ob- 
jects on  the  red  ground  formed  by  cutting  sections  of  tho  kidney,  and 
arc  essentially  products  of  the  dry  food  of  winter,  and  most  common  in 


154  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

working  oxen  wliich  are  called  upon  to  exhale  more  water  from  the 
lungs  and  skins  than  are  the  slop-fed  and  inactive  cows.  Little  water 
being  introduced  into  the  body  with  the  food,  and  a  considerable 
amount  being  expelled  with  the  breath  and  perspiration  in  connection 
with  the  active  life,  the  urine  becomes  small  in  amount,  but  having  to 
carry  out  all  waste  material  from  the  tissues  and  the  tissue-forming 
food,  it  becomes  so  charged  with  solids  that  it  is  ready  to  deposit  them 
on  the  slightest  disturbance.  If,  therefore,  a  little  of  the  water  of  such 
concentrated  urine  is  reabsorbed  at  any  point  of  the  urinary  passages, 
the  remainder  is  no  longer  able  to  hold  the  solids  in  solution,  and  they 
are  at  once  precipitated  in  the  solid  form  as  gravel  or  commencing 
stone.  In  cattle,  on  the  other  hand,  which  are  kept  at  pasture  in  sum- 
mer, or  which  are  fed  liberally  on  roots,  potatoes,  pumpkins,  apples  or 
ensilage  in  winter,  this  concentrated  condition  of  the  urine  is  not  in- 
duced, and  under  such  circumstances,  therefore,  the  formation  of  stone 
is  practically  unknown.  Nothing  more  need  be  said  to  show  the  con- 
trolling influence  of  dry  feeding  in  producing  gravel  and  of  a  watery 
ration  in  preventing  it.  Calculus  in  cattle  is  essentially  a  disease  of 
winter,  and  of  such  cattle  as  are  denied  succulent  food  and  are  confined 
to  dry  fodder  as  their  exclusive  ration.  "While  there  are  exceptions, 
they  are  so  rare  that  they  do  not  invalidate  this  general  rule.  It  is 
true  that  stone  in  the  kidney  or  bladder  is  often  found  in  the  summer 
or  in  animals  feeding  at  the  time  on  a  more  or  less  succulent  ration, 
yet  such  masses  usually  date  back  to  a  former  period  when  the  animal 
was  restricted  to  a  dry  ration. 

In  this  connection  it  should  be  noted  that  a  great  drain  of  water 
from  the  system,  by  any  other  channel  than  the  kidneys,  predisposes 
to  the  production  of  gravel  or  stone.  In  case  of  profuse  diarrhea,  for 
example,  or  of  excessive  secretion  of  milk,  there  is  a  corresponding 
diminution  of  the  water  of  the  blood,  and  as  the  whole  amount  of  the 
blood  is  thus  decreased,  and  as  the  quantity  of  urine  secreted  is  largely 
influenced  by  the  fulness  of  the  blood  vessels  and  the  pressure  exerted 
upon  their  walls  from  within,  it  follows  that  with  this  decrease  of  the 
mass  of  the  blood  and  the  lessening  of  its  pressure  outward,  there 
will  be  a  corresponding  decrease  of  urine.  The  waste  of  the  tissues, 
however,  goes  on  as  before,  and  if  the  waste  matter  is  passed  out 
through  the  kidneys  it  must  be  in  a  more  concentrated  solution,  and 
the  more  concentrated  the  urine  the  greater  the  danger  that  the  solids 
will  be  deposited  as  small  crystals  or  calculi. 

Again,  the  concentrated  condition  of  the  urine  which  predisposes  to 
such  deposits  is  favored  by  the  quantity  of  lime  salts  that  may  be 
present  in  the  water  drunk  by  the  animal.  Water  that  contains  20  or 
30  grains  of  carbonate  or  sulphate  of  lime  to  the  gallon  must  con- 
tribute a  large  addition  of  solids  to  the  blood,  and  urine  as  compared 
with  soft  waters  from  which  lime  is  absent.  In  this  connection  it  is  a 
remarkable  fact  that  stone  and  gravel  in  the  domesticated  herbivora 


DISEASES    OF   THE    URINAEY    ORGANS. 


155 


are  notoriously  prevalent  on  many  limestone  soils,  as  on  the  limestone 
formations  of  central  and  western  Kew  York,  Peuusylania,  Ohio,  and 
Michigan;  on  the  calcareons  formations  of  Norfolk,  Suffolk,  Derby- 
shire, Shropshire,  and  Gloucestershire,  in  England;  in  Laudes  in 
France,  and  around  Munich  in  Bavaria.  It  does  not  follow  that  the 
abundance  of  lime  in  the  water  and  fodder  is  the  main  cause  of  the 
calculi,  since  other  poisons  which  are  operative  in  the  same  districts  in 
causing  goitre  in  both  man  and  animal  probably  contribute  to  the 
trouble,  yet  the  excess  of  earthy  salts  in  the  drinking  water  can  hardly 
fail  to  add  to  the  saturation  of  both  blood  and  urine,  and  thereby  to 
favor  the  precipitation  of  the  urinary  solids  from  their  state  of  solution. 

The  known  results  of  feeding  cattle  a  generous  or  forcing  ration  in 
which  phosphate  of  lime  is  present  to  excess  adds  additional  force  to 
the  view  just  advanced.  In  the  writer's  experience,  the  Second  Duke 
of  Oneida,  a  magnificent  product  of  his  world-famed  family,  died  as  the 
result  of  a  too  liberal  allowance  of  wheat  bran,  fed  with  the  view  of 
still  further  improving  the  bone  and  general  form  of  the  Duchess  strain 
of  Shorthorns.  Lithotomy  was  performed  and  a  number  of  stones  re- 
moved from  the  bladder  and  urethra,  but  the  patient  succumbed  to  aH 
inflammation  of  the  bowels,  induced  by  the  violent  purgatives  given, 
before  the  writer  arrived,  under  the  mistaken  idea  that  the  straining 
had  been  caused  by  intestinal  impaction.  In  this  case  not  only  the 
Second  Duke  of  Oueida,  but  the  other  males  of  the  herd  as  well,  had 
the  tufts  of  hairs  at  the  outlet  of  the  sheath  encased  in  hard,  cylin- 
droid  sheaths  of  urinary  salts,  precipitated  from  the  liquid  as  it  ran 
over  them.  The  tufts  were  in  reality  resolved  into  a  series  of  hard, 
roller-like  bodies,  more  or  less  constricted  at  intervals,  as  if  braided. 

When  it  is  stated  that  the  ash  of  the  whole  grain  of  wheat  is  but  3 
per  cent,  while  the  ash  of  wheat  bran  is  7.3  per  cent,  and  that  in  the 
case  of  the  former  4G.3S  per  cent  of  the  ash  is  phosphoric  acid,  and  in 
that  of  the  latter  50  per  cent,  it  can  easily  be  understood  how  a  too 
liberal  use  of  wheat  bran  should  prove  dangerous  if  fed  dry.  The  fol- 
lowing table  shows  the  relative  proportion  of  ash  and  phosphoric  acid 
in  wheat  bran  and  in  some  common  farm  seeds: 


Anil. 

Phiw}>horio 
arltt  in  nxh. 

Phosphoric 
ai-iil  in  tin* 
entire  food. 

Wheat  liran  

Per  ft. 

7  3 

I'tr  crnt. 
50 

I'tr  cent. 
3  05 

3 

46  3* 

1  :<9U 

U.M 

'M  5 

0  tWi'Jj 

Barley,  grain  

3.10 

39.0 

1.2376 

:i  jo 

31  0 

(I  yMV4 

Pea,  grain  

2.75 

:u.  H 

n.  ;>j7 

Tw*,  grain   ...               -  ,     ,  .  .   ........... 

:i 

30.  2 

MHO 

1  5 

Kj'e,  ^r.iiu  

1.0 

:;u.  u 

o.  ('''.:& 

156 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


Wheat  bran,  it  will  be  observed,  contains  three  tines  as  mnch  phos- 
phoric acid  as  is  found  in  any  of  the  other  grains,  and  four  times  as 
much  as  do  oats,  beans,  peas,  or  rye;  so  that  if  fed  in  excess  it  will 
readily  overcharge  the  urine  with  phosphates. 

There  is  another  point  to  be  considered,  however,  in  estimating  this 
danger.  Wheat  bran  contains  a  far  greater  amount  of  albuminoids  and 
other  nitrogen-containing  constituents  than  do  the  common  grains 
(these  being  made  up  mainly  of  starch  which  contains  no  nitrogen),  and 
all  nitrogen-bearing  products  contained  in  the  blood  and  tissues  being 
expelled  from  the  body  mainly  through  the  kidneys  in  the  form  of  urea 
and  (in  cattle)  hippuric  acid,  it  follows  that  the  excess  of  urea  found 
when  such  food  is  consumed  must  load  the  urine  with  solids  and  bring 
it  constantly  nearer  to  the  point  of  saturation,  when  such  solids  (or  the 
least  soluble  of  them)  must  be  deposited. 

The  following  table  will  show  the  relative  amounts  of  the  nitrogen- 
bearing  products  in  wheat  bran  and  some  of  our  common  grains: 


Albuminoids 
(nitrog- 
enous). 

Woody  fiber 
(njtrog- 
enous). 

Total 
nitrogenons- 
bearing  con- 
stituents. 

Wheat  bran  

Per  cent. 
16.1 

Per  cent. 
8 

Per  cent. 
24.1 

Wheat,  grain  

12.5 

1.8 

14.3 

Barley,  grain  

12.4 

2.7 

15.1 

Oats,  graiu  

11.8 

9.5 

21.3 

Rye,  grain  

10.  C 

1.7 

12.3 

Indian  corn  

10.1 

1.7 

11.8 

It  will  be  observed  that,  with  the  exception  of  oats,  none  of  the 
grains  contain  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  nitrogenous  material  present 
in  the  wheat  bran,  while  in  the  case  of  rye  and  maize  there  is  practi- 
cally but  one-half.  Even  in  the  case  of  oats  the  albuminoids,  which  are 
the  more  digestible  principles,  and,  therefore,  those  that  are  the  most 
easily  and  speedily  converted  into  urea,  are  present  only  to  the  amount 
of  two-thirds  of  that  which  exists  in  the  wheat  bran.  With  such  an 
excess  of  ash,  of  phosphates,  and  of  nitrogenous  (urea-forming)  con- 
stituents in  wheat  bran,  its  tendency  to  favor  the  formation  of  calculi 
is  fully  explained.  It  must  not,  however,  be  inferred  that  wheat  bran 
is  not  a  valuable  food  stuff.  The  inference  is  only  that  it  should  be 
fed  with  an  abundance  of  water,  as  a  sloppy  mash  or  in  combination 
with  an  abundance  of  roots,  potatoes,  pumpkins,  or  other  succulent 
aliment. 

In  this  connection  the  presence  of  magnesia  in  the  food  or  water  must 
be  named  as  favoring  calculous  formations  in  the  urinary  passages. 
The  explanation  is  that  while  the  phosphate  of  magnesia  thrown  out  in 
the  urine  is  soluble  in  water,  the  compound  phosphate  of  ammonia  and 
magnesia  is  insoluble,  and,  accordingly,  if  at  any  time  ammonia  is  in- 
troduced into  urine  containing  the  phosphate  of  magnesia,  there  is  in- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    UKINARY    ORGANS.  157 

stantly  formed  tlie  aminonio-magnesiuin  phosphate,  which  is  as  promptly 
deposited  in  the  solid  form.  The  common  source  of  ammonia  in  such 
cases  is  froni  decomposition  of  the  urea  in  fermenting  urine.  But  in 
order  to  produce  this  a  ferment  is  necessary,  and  therefore,  as  an  addi- 
tional prerequisite,  the  presence  of  bacteria  or  fungi  in  the  urine  is  es- 
sential. These  ferments  may  make  their  way  from  without  along  the 
urinary  passage  (urethra),  and  their  propagation  in  the  bladder  is 
greatly  favored  by  the  prolonged  retention  of  urine,  as  in  case  of  spasm 
of  the  neck  of  the  bladder  or  obstruction  by  an  already  existing  stone. 
Another  mode  of  entrance  of  the  ferment  is  an  uncleanly  catheter  used 
to  draw  off  the  urine. 

Another  insoluble  salt  which  enters  largely  into  the  composition  of 
many  urinary  calculi  of  the  ox  is  carbonate  of  lime.  This  is  derived 
mainly  from  the  lime  in  the  food  and  water  and  from  the  carbon  diox- 
ide formed  by  the  oxidation  of  the  organic  acids  in  the  fodder.  These 
organic  acids,  being  composed  of  carbon,  hydrogen,  and  oxygen  (with- 
out nitrogen),  are  resolved,  by  the  addition  of  oxygen,  into  carbon  di- 
oxide (CO2)  and  water  (H2O).  The  carbon  dioxide  unites  with  the  lime 
in  the  blood  to  form  carbonate  of  lime,  and  in  this  state  passes  into  the 
urine.  Now,  carbonate  of  lime  is  soluble  in  water  containing  free  or 
tmcombined  carbon  dioxide,  but  is  precipitated  whenever  the  latter  is 
withdrawn.  It  is  only  necessary,  therefore,  to  have  in  the  urine  suffi- 
cient lime  or  other  available  base  to  unite  with  all  the  free  carbon  di- 
oxide in  order  to  bring  about  the  precipitation  of  the  dissolved  carbon- 
ate of  lime  in  the  solid  crystallized  form.  Hence  it  is  that  of  all  sedi- 
ments in  the  urine  of  herbivora  this  is  the  most  frequent  and  usually 
the  most  abundant. 

A  less  common  constituent  of  urinary  calculi  is  the  insoluble  oxalate 
of  liuie.  In  this  case  the  lime  is  derived  as  before  from  the  food  or 
water,  or  both,  while  the  oxalic  acid  is  a  product  of  the  oxidation  of 
organic  acids  of  the  food,  less  oxygen  having  been  used  than  in  the 
formation  of  carbon  dioxide.  The  final  product  of  the  complete  oxida- 
tion of  these  acids  is  carbon  dioxide,  but  when  less  oxygen  is  furnished 
owing  to  some  disease  of  the  lungs  or  a  disease  of  the  nerve  centers, 
which  lessens  the  activity  of  the  breathing,  then  oxalic  acid  may  be 
produced.  Then  if  this  oxalic  acid  conies  in  contact  with  lime  it  is 
instantly  precipitated  as  crystals  of  oxalate  of  lime. 

Another  inorganic  substance  at  times  found  in  urinary  calculi  is 
silica  (SiOi).  This  contributes  largely  to  giving  stiffness  to  the  stems 
of  growing  plants,  and  in  most  of  our  cereals  and  grasses  makes  up  a 
large  proportion  of  the  ashes  of  the  burnt  plant.  It  is  found  in  the 
soluble  form  in  combination  as  silicate  of  potash,  but  at  times  is  dis- 
placed by  oxalic  or  other  acid  and  then  appears  as  gritty,  sandy  particles 
in  the  stem.  This  gritty,  insoluble  silica  is  especially  noticeable  among 


158 


DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 


the  horsetails  (Equisetacece),  bamboos,  and  sedges.     The  percentage  of 
silica  in  the  ash  of  several  common  fodder  plants  is  given  below : 


Ash  of— 

Silica. 

Wheat  straw  

Per  cent. 
67.6 

Oats  and  husk  
Oat  straw  

33.6 
35.4 

Barley  straw  

73.1 

Eye  straw  

64.4 

64.57 

Wheat  chaff  

81.2 

Oat  chaff  
Barley  awn  

59.9 
70.7 

It  is  only  soluble  silica  that  is  taken  up  into  the  system,  and  it  is  in 
this  form  (usually  as  silicate  of  potash  or  soda)  that  it  enters  the  urine, 
but  all  that  is  wanted  to  precipitate  it  in  crystalline  form  as  a  gritty 
sand  is  the  presence  of  oxalic  or  other  acid  having  a  stronger  affinity 
for  its  base  (potash  or  soda). 

Other  conditions,  however,  enter  largely  into  the  causation  of  stone 
or  gravel.  A  high  density  of  urine  resulting  from,  a  highly  saturated 
condition  is  often  present  for  a  length  of  time  without  any  precipitation 
of  solid  materials.  Urea  and  carbonates  may  be  present  in  excess, 
the  food  may  be  given  dry,  and  drinking  water  may  be  deficient  in 
amount  without  any  deposition  of  stone  or  gravel.  The  presence  of 
iioncrystalline  organic  matter  in  the  urine  becomes  in  such  cases  an 
exciting  cause.  Rainey  and  Ord  have  shown  experimentally  that  col- 
loid (noncrystallizable)  bodies  like  mucus,  epithelial  cells,  albumen, 
pus,  blood,  hyaline  casts  of  the  kidney  tubes,  etc.,  not  only  determine 
the  precipitation  of  crystallizable  salts  from  a  strong  solution,  but  they 
determine  the  precipitation  in  the  form  of  globular  masses  or  minute 
spheres,  which,  by  further  similar  accessions,  become  stones  or  calculi 
of  various  sizes.  The  salts  that  are  deposited  by  mere  chemical  reac- 
tion without  the  intervention  of  colloids  appear  in  the  form  of  sharply 
defined  angular  crystals,  and  hence  the  rough,  jagged  crystals  of  oxa- 
late  of  lime  or  ammonio-magnesium  phosphate.  Heat  intensifies  the 
action  of  the  colloids  in  causing  precipitation  of  the  dissolved  salts,  so 
that  the  temperature  of  the  kidneys  and  bladder  constitute  favorable 
conditions.  Colloids  that  are  undergoing  decomposition  are  also  spe- 
cially powerful,  so  that  the  presence  of  bacteria  or  fungi  causing  fer- 
mentation are  important  factors. 

In  looking,  therefore,  for  the  immediate  causes  of  urinary  calculi,  we 
must  accord  a  high  place  to  all  those  conditions  which  determine  the 
presence  of  excess  of  mucus,  albumen,  pus,  blood,  kidney  casts,  blood 
coloring  matter,  etc.,  in  the  urine.  Acatarrhal  inflammation  of  the  pel- 
vis of  the  kidney,  the  ureter  of  the  bladder,  generating  excess  of  mucus 
or  pus;  inflammation  of  the  kidneys  causing  the  discharge  into  the 
urinary  passages  cf  blood,  albumen  or  hyaline  casts;  inflammation  of 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  159 

the  liver,  lungs,  or  other  distant  organ  resulting  in  the  escape  of  albu- 
men in  the  urine;  disorders  of  the  liver  or  of  the  blood-forming  func- 
tions resulting  in  hrematuria  or  haeinoglobinuria ;  sprains  or  other  in- 
juries to  the  back,  or  disease  of  the  spinal  marrow  which  cause  the 
escape  of  blood  with  the  urine;  the  presence  in  the  bladder  of  a  bac- 
terian  ferment  which  determines  the  decomposition  of  the  mucus  and 
urea,  the  evolution  of  ammonia  and  the  consequent  destruction  of  the 
protecting  cellular  (epithelial)  lining  of  the  bladder;  or  the  irritation 
caused  by  the  presence  of  an  already  formed  calculus  may  produce  the 
colloid  or  uncrystallizable  body  that  proves  so  effective  in  the  precipi- 
tation of  stone  or  graveL  It  has  long  been  known  that  calculi  will 
almost  infallibly  form  around  any  foreign  body  introduced  into  the 
kidney  or  bladder,  and  I  have  seen  a  large  calculous  mass  surrounding 
a  splinter  of  an  arrow  that  had  penetrated  and  broken  off  in  the  body 
of  a  deer.  The  explanation  is  now  satisfactory — the  foreign  body 
carries  in  with  it  bacteria  which  act  as  ferments  upon  the  urine  and 
mucus  in  addition  to  the  mechanical  injury  caused  by  its  presence. 
If  such  a  body  has  been  introduced  through  the  solid  tissues  there  is 
in  addition  the  presence  of  the  blood  and  lymph  derived  from  the 
wounded  structures. 

CLASSIFICATION   OF   URINARY   CALCULI. 

Urinary  calculi  arc  most  conveniently  divided  according  to  the  local- 
ity in  which  they  are  found.  Thus  we  find  first  renal  calculi,  formed 
in  the  kidney  (Plato  xi,  Fig.  1),  and  which  for  cattle  must  be  again 
divided  into  calculi  of  the  uriniferous  tubes,  and  calculi  of  the  pelrix. 
The  second  class  are  named  uretral  calculi,  because  they  are  found  in 
the  duct  leading  from  the  kidney  to  the  bladder  (ureter).  The  tliird 
class  are  the  vesical  calculi,  from  the  bladder  or  vesicle  in  which  they 
are  found.  The  fourth  class  are  the  urethral  calculi,  and  arc  found  in 
the  duct  leading  outward  from  the  bladder  through  the  penis  (urethra). 
The  fifth  and  last  class  are  the  preputial  calculi,  since  they  are  found 
within  the  sheath  of  the  penis  (prepuce). 

Calculi  may  also  be  classed  according  to  their  chemical  composition, 
and  this  has  the  advantage  of  suggesting  the  special  cause  of  each  as 
found  in  the  food,  water,  soil,  or  general  condition  of  health.  This 
classification  affords  no  guide  to  their  location  nor  symptoms,  as  calculi 
of  the  same  chemical  composition  may  be  found  at  any  part  of  the  uri- 
nary passages,  as  those  formed  in  the  kidney  may  pass  on  through  all 
the  various  passages  outward,  unless  it  is  found  at  any  point  of  their 
progress  that  they  have  grown  so  largo  that  the  passage  will  not  admit 
them.  The  following  are  among  the  concretions  found  in  the  various 
parts : 

(1)  Coralline  calculi. — These  are  of  a  dull  white  color  and  irregular 
surface,  like  coral.  They  are  made  up  of  hard  and  resistant  layers 
evenly  deposited  around  a  central  nucleus.  (Plate  xi,  Fig.  .'*.)  Their 


160  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

specific  gravity  is  1760,  water  being  1000,  and  they  coitain  74  per  cent 
of  carbonate  of  lime  with  some  carbonate  of  magnesia,  organic  matter, 
and  a  trace  of  carbonate  of  iron.  Yellowish-white,  smooth,  round  cal- 
culi of  the  same  chemical  composition  are  met  with. 

(2)  Pearly  calculi. — These  are  more  frequent  than  the  first  named 
variety.    They  are  very  hard  and  smooth  on  the  surface,  reflecting  a 
play  of  various  colors  after  the  fashion  of  a  pearl.    This  peculiarity 
appears  to  be  caused  by  the  thinness  and  semi-transparency  of  the 
superposed  layers.    They  have  a  specific  gravity  of  2109  to  2351,  and 
nearly  the  same  chemical  composition  as  the  coralline  variety.     Golding 
Bird  found  a  specimen  of  this  kind  formed  of  carbonate  of  lime  and 
organic  matter  only. 

(3)  Green  calculi. — Metalloid  calculi. — These  are  usually  small  and 
numerous,  as  they  are  exceedingly  common.    They  are  of  a  very  hard 
consistency,  and  have  a  clear,  polished,  greenish  surface  of  almost 
metallic  brilliancy.    They  have  a  specific  gravity  of  2301,  and  a  compo- 
sition almost  identical  with  the  second  variety. 

(4)  White  calculi. — Pure,  white,  smooth,  lustrous   calculi    are    rare. 
They  have  a  specific  gravity  of  2307,  and  contain  as  much  as-  92  per 
cent  of  carbonate  of  lime  with  carbonate  of  magnesia  and  organic 
matter. 

(5)  Ammonio-magnesium  calculi. — These  are  of  a  grayish  color  and  a 
very  rough  crystalline  surface,  which   proves  very  irritating  to  the 
mucous  membrane.    They  have  a  specific  gravity  of  1109  to  1637,  and 
are  composed  chiefly  of  ammonio-magnesium  phosphate,  oxalate  of 
lime,  and  organic  matter,  with  some  little  carbonate  of  lime  and  mag- 
nesia. 

(6)  Siliceous  calculi. — These  are  clear,  smooth,  and  hard,  and  usually 
spherical.    They  have  a  specific  gravity  of  1265  to  1376,  and  contain 
57  per  cent  of  silica  with  carbonates  of  iron  and  magnesia,  organic 
matter,  and  traces  of  iron.    In  other  specimens  of  siliceous  calculi  there 
was  a  specific  gravity  of  3122,  and  there  was  79  to  85  per  cent  of  car- 
bonate of  lime  together  with  carbonate  of  magnesia,  and  iron,  silica, 
and  organic  matter.    Others  are  almost  exclusively  made  of  silica. 

(7)  Oxalate  of  lime  calculi. — Mulberry  calculi  (Plate  xi,  Fig.  2). — These 
are  characterized  by  their  extremely  rough,  angular  surface,  formed  by 
the  octahedral  crystals  of  oxalate  of  lime.    Their  specific  gravity  may 
be  3441,  and  they  contain  oxalate  of  lime  to  the  extent  of  81  per  cent, 
together  with  carbonates  of  lime  and  magnesia  and  organic  matter. 

(8)  Gravel. — Pultaceous  deposits. — Simple  crystals  may  be  met  with 
at  any  point  from  the  kidneys  to  the  external  opening  at  the  end  of  the 
prepuce  (sheath),  and  they  may  appear  singly,  as  crystals,  or  they  may 
accumulate  in  masses  of  fine  spherical  crystals  almost  like  dirty  pow- 
dered chalk  suspended  in  water.    In  the  ox  this  is  especially  common 
as  a  collection  in  the  sheath,  distending  that  into  a  soft  doughy  swelling. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  161 

FORMS  OF   CALCULI  IN  DIFFERENT   SITUATIONS. 

Apart  from  the  rough  crystalline  surfaces  of  the  calculi  of  oxalate  of 
lime  and  ammonio-magnesium  phosphate,  the  general  tendency  is  to  a 
smooth,  round  outline.  At  times,  however,  they  show  more  or  less  flat- 
tening with  rounded  angular  edges,  caused  by  the  contact  and  mutual 
friction  of  two  calculi.  Sometimes  two  or  more  stones  lying  together 
become  united  into  one  by  a  new  external  deposit,  and  the  resulting 
mass  then  shows  rounded  swellings  on  opposite  sides.  The  large  cal- 
culi occupying  the  pelvis  of  the  kidneys  usually  shows  a  central  part 
having  the  outline  of  the  main  cavity  of  the  pelvis  and  two  or  more 
projections  that  have  been  molded  into  corresponding  branches  or  chan- 
nels which  lead  to  corresponding  lobes  of  the  kidney.  In  winter  and 
spring  small  concretions  in  the  form  of  plates  are  often  met  with  in  the 
branches  of  the  pelvis,  having  been  formed  and  molded  in  the  confined 
space  between  the  projecting  papilla  and  the  surrounding  cup-like 
branch  of  the  pelvis.  Finally,  the  pulp-like  deposits  in  the  sheath  and 
elsewhere  are  made  up  of  globular  masses,  individually  so  small  as  to 
be  often  practically  microscopic. 

STONE   IN   THE   KIDNEY — RENAL  CALCULI. 
[Plate  XI,  Fig.  I.] 

In  an  animal  leading  the  quiet,  uneventful  life  of  the  ox,  stones  of 
large  size  may  be  present  in  the  kidney  without  producing  any  disorder 
appreciable  to  the  people  about  him.  In  cattle  fattened  on  dry  food  in 
winter,  on  our  inagnesian  limestone  of  New  York,  it  is  exceptional  to 
find  the  substance  of  the  kidney  free  from  calculi  about  the  size  of  a 
grain  of  wheat  or  less,  and  standing  out  as  white  objects  in  the  general 
red  of  the  cut  surface  of  the  organ.  Similarly  around  the  papillae  in 
tin-  cup-like  arms  of  the  pelvis  we  find  minute  flattened  or  more  or  less 
rounded  yellowish-white  concretions.  Even  the  large  concretions  may 
prove  apparently  harmless.  I  have  a  calculus  several  ounces  in  weight 
filling  the  entire  pelvis  of  the  kidney,  which  was  found  by  accident  in 
a  fat  carcass  while  being  dressed.  In  work  oxen,  however,  such  concre- 
tions may  give  rise  to  symptoms  of  kidney  disease,  such  as  stiffness  of 
the  loins,  shown  especially  in  the  acts  of  rising  or  turning,  weakness  of 
the  hind  parts  when  set  to  pull  a  heavy  load,  an  irritability  of  the  kid- 
neys, shown  by  the  frequent  passage  of  urine  in  small  quantity,  tender- 
ness of  the  loins,  shown  when  they  are  pinched  or  lightly  struck,  and  it 
may  be  the  passage  of  blood  or  minute  gritty  masses  with  the  urine. 
If  the  attack  is  severe,  what  is  called  renal  colic  (kidney  colic)  may  bo 
shown  by  frequent  uneasy  shifting  of  the  hind  limbs,  shaking  or  twist- 
ing of  the  tail,  looking  round  at  the  flanks,  and  lying  down  and  rising 
again  at  short  intervals  without  apparent  cause.  The  frequent  pass- 
age of  urine,  the-,  blood  or  gritty  masses  contained  in  it,  and  perhaps 
the  hard  stony  cylinders  around  the  tufts  of  hair  of  the  sheath,  show 
that  the  source  of  the  Buffering  is  the  urinary  organs.  In  bad  cases  act- 
ive inflammation  of  the  kidneys  may  set  in.  (See  Nephritis.) 
24f,97 11 


162  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

URETERAL   CALCULI. 

These  are  small  stones  which  have  passed  from  the  pelvis  of  the 
kidney  into  the  canal  (ureter)  leading  from  the  kidney  to  the  bladder, 
but  being  too  large  to  pass  on  easily  have  blocked  that  canal  and  forced 
the  urine  back  upon  the  kidney.  The  result  is  the  production  of  symp- 
toms more  violent  than  in  renal  calculi,  though  not  varying,  save  in 
intensity,  from  those  of  renal  colic.  In  case  of  complete  and  unrelieved 
obstruction,  the  secretion  of  the  kidney  on  that  side  is  entirely  abolished, 
and  it  becomes  the  seat  of  passive  congestion,  and  it  may  even  be 
absorbed  in  greater  part  or  as  a  whole,  leaving  only  a  fibrous  sac  con- 
taining fluid  with  a  urinous  odor.  In  small  cattle,  in  which  the  oiled 
hand  introduced  into  the  last  gut  may  reach  the  affected  part,  the  dis- 
tended ureter  may  be  felt  as  a  tense,  elastic  cord,  extending  forward 
from  the  point  of  obstruction  on  the  lateral  wall  of  the  pelvis  and 
beneath  the  loins  toward  the  kidney.  If  relief  is  obtained  by  the 
onward  passage  of  the  stone  a  free  flow  of  urine  usually  follows,  in 
the  midst  of  which  may  often  be  found  gritty  masses.  If  the  outlets 
from  both  kidneys  are  similarly  blocked,  the  animal  becomes  poisoned 
by  the  retention  in  the  blood  of  the  elements  of  the  urine,  and  by  their 
reabsorption  after  secretion. 

Treatment  of  renal  and  urcieral  calculi. — Treatment  is  not  very  suc- 
cessful, as  only  the  smallest  calculi  can  pass  through  the  ureter  and 
enter  the  bladder,  and  even  if  they  should  do  so  they  are  liable  to  a  pro- 
gressive increase  there,  so  that  later  they  may  cause  the  symptoms  ot 
stone  in  the  bladder.  Fortunately,  ordinary  dairy,  growing,  or  fatten- 
ing cattle  rarely  show  evident  symptoms  of  illness,  and  though  they 
should  do  so  they  can  usually  be  fattened  and  slaughtered  before  the 
health  is  seriously  impaired.  In  work  oxen  the  case  is  different,  and 
acute  symptoms  may  develop,  but  even  then  the  animal  may  often  be 
fitted  for  the  butcher.  When  treatment  is  demanded  it  is  primarily 
soothing  and  autispasinodic.  Fomentations  with  warm  water  over  the 
loins  should  be  persisted  in  without  intermission  until  relief  has  been 
secured.  The  soothing  effect  on  the  kidney  will  often  relieve  inflam- 
mation and  irritation,  should  the  stone  be  in  that  situation,  while  if  in 
the  ureter  the  warm  fomentations  will  at  once  soothe  irritation,  relax 
spasm  of  the  muscular  coat  of  the  canal,  and  favor  an  abundant  secre- 
tion from  the  kidney,  which,  pressing  on  the  obstructing  stone,  may 
slowly  push  it  on  into  the  bladder.  Large  doses  of  laudanum  (2  ounces) 
or  of  solid  extract  of  belladonna  (2  drams)  will  not  only  soothe  the  pain 
but  relax  the  spasm  and  favor  the  onward  passage  of  the  calculus.  The 
animal  should  be  encouraged  to  drink  large  quantities  of  cool  water  to 
favor  the  free  secretion  of  a  very  watery  urine,  which  will  not  only  serve 
to  obviate  irritation  and  continued  deposit  caused  by  a  highly  concen- 
trated urine,  but  will  press  the  stone  onward  toward  the  bladder,  and 
even  in  certain  cases  will  tend  to  disintegrate  it  by  solution  of  some  of 


DISEASES   OF   THE   URINARY   ORGANS.  163 

its  elements,  and  thus  to  favor  its  crumbling  and  expulsion.  This  is  a 
principle  which  must  never  be  lost  sight  of  in  the  treatment  of  calculi : 
The  immersion  of  the  stone  in  a  liquid  of  a  lower  specific  gravity  than 
that  in  which  it  has  formed  and  grown  tends  to  dissolve  out  the  more 
soluble  of  its  component  parts,  and  thus  to  destroy  its  density  and 
cohesion  at  all  points,  and  thereby  to  favor  its  complete  disintegration 
and  expulsion.  This  explains  why  cattle  taken  from  a  herd  on  our 
magncsian  limestone  in  spring,  after  the  long  dry  feeding  of  winter, 
usually  furnish  renal  calculi,  while  cattle  from  the  same  herd  in  the 
fall,  after  a  summer's  run  on  a  succulent  pasture,  are  almost  aways  free 
from  concretions.  The  abundance  of  liquid  taken  in  the  green  food  and 
expelled  through  the  kidneys  and  the  low  density  or  watery  nature  of 
the  urine  have  so  opened  the  texture  and  destroyed  the  density  of  the 
smaller  stones  and  gravel  that  they  have  all  been  disintegrated  and 
•red.  This,  too,  is  the  main  reason  why  benefit  is  derived  from 
a  prolonged  stay  at  mineral  springs  by  the  human  victims  of  gravel. 
If  they  had  swallowed  the  same  number  of  quarts  of  pure  water  at 
home,  and  distributed  it  at  suitable  intervals  over  each  day,  they 
would  have  benefited  largely  without  a  visit  to  the  springs. 

It  follows  from  what  has  been  just  said  that  a  succulent  diet,  includ- 
ing a  large  amount  of  water  (gruels,  sloppy  mashes,  turnips,  beets, 
potatoes,  apples,  pumpkins,  ensilage,  succulent  grasses),  is  an  impor- 
tant factor  in  the  relief  of  the  milder  forms  of  stone  and  gravel. 

Prevention  of  calculus  especially  demands  this  supply  of  water  and 
v.  at  cry  rations  on  all  soils  and  in  all  conditions  in  which  there  is  a 
predisposition  to  this  disease.  It  must  also  be  sought  by  attempts  to 
obviate  all  those  conditions  mentioned  above  as  causative  of  the  malady. 
Sometimes  good  rainwater  can  be  furnished  in  limestone  districts-,  but 
putrid  or  bad  smelling  rainwater  is  to  be  avoided  as  probably  more 
injurious  than  that  from  the  limestone.  Unsuccessful  attempts  have 
b«en  made  to  dissolve  calculi  by  alkaline  salts  aud  mineral  acids  respect- 
ively, but  their  failure  as  a  remedy  does  not  neressarity  condemn  them 
as  preventives.  One  dram  of  caustic  potash  or  of  hydrochloric  acid 
maybe  given  daily  in  the  drinking  water.  In  diametrically' opposite 
ways  these  attack  and  decompose  the  less  soluble  salts  and  form  new 
ones  which  are  more  soluble  and  therefore  little  disposed  to  precipitate 
in  the  solid  form.  Hoth  are  beneficial  as  increasing  the  secretion  of 
urine.  In  cases  where  the  diet  has  been  too  highly  charged  with  phos- 
phate* (wheat  bran,  etc.),  these  aliments  must  be  restricted  and  water 
allowed  ad  libitum.  Where  the  crystals  passed  with  the  urine  are  tho 
sharp  angular  (octahedral)  ones  of  oxalato  of  lime,  then  the  breathing 
should  be  made  more  active  by  exercise,  aud  any  disease  of  the  lungs 
Kiibj<!cted  to  appropriate  treatment.  If  the  crystals  are  triangular 
prisms  of  ammonia  magnesium  phosphate  or  star-like  forms  with  feathery 
rays,  the  indications  are  to  withhold  the  food  or  water  that  abounds  in 
magnesia  and  cheek  the  fermentation  in  the  urine  by  attempts  to  destroy 


164  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

its  bacteria.  In  the  latter  direction  plenty  of  pure  water,  diuretics,  and 
a  daily  dose  of  oil  of  turpentine  in  milk,  or  a  dose  thrice  a  day  of  a 
solution  containing  one-tenth  grain  each  of  biniodide  of  mercury  and 
iodide  of  potassium  would  be  indicated. 

In  considering  the  subject  of  prevention  it  must  never  be  forgotten 
that  any  disease  of  a  distant  organ  which  determines  the  passage  from 
the  blood  into  the  urine  of  albumen  or  any  other  colloid  (uncrystalliz- 
able)  body  is  strongly  provocative  of  calculus,  and  should,  if  possible, 
be  corrected.  Apart  from  cases  due  to  geological  formation,  faulty 
feeding,  and  other  causes,  the  grand  preventive  of  calculus  is  a  long 
summer's  pasturage  of  succulent  grasses,  or  in  winter  a  diet  of  ensilage 
or  other  succulent  food. 

The  calculi  formed  in  part  of  silica  demand  special  notice.  This 
agent  is  secreted  in  the  urine  in  the  form  of  silicate  of  potash  and  is 
thrown  down  as  insoluble  silica  when  a  stronger  acid  displaces  it  by 
combining  with  the  potash  to  its  exclusion.  In  cases  of  siliceous  calculi, 
accordingly,  the  appropriate  chemical  prevention  is  caustic  potash, 
which  being  present  in  the  free  state  would  attract  to  itself  any  free 
acid  and  leave  the  silica  in  its  soluble  condition  as  silicate  of  potash. 

STONE  IN  THE  BLADDER — VESICAL  CALCULUS — URETHRAL  CALCULUS. 

Stone  in  the  bladder  may  be  of  any  size,  but  in  the  ox  does  not 
usually  exceed  half  an  inch  in  diameter.  There  may,  however,  be  a 
number  of  small  calculi;  indeed,  they  are  sometimes  so  small  and 
numerous  as  to  form  a  small  pulpy  magma  by  which  the  bladder  is 
considerably  distended. 

The  symptoms  of  stone  in  the  bladder  may  be  absent  until  one  of  the 
masses  escapes  into  the  urethra,  but  when  this  occurs  the  escape  of 
urine  is  prevented,  or  it  is  allowed  to  pass  in  drops  or  dribblets  only, 
and  the  effect  of  such  obstruction  becomes  manifest.  The  point  of 
obstruction  is  not  always  the  same,  but  it  is  most  frequently  at  the 
S-shaped  curve  of  the  penis,  just  above  the  testicles  or  scrotum.  In 
cows  and  heifers  the  urethra  is  so  short  and  becomes  so  widely  dilated 
during  the  urination  that  the  calculi  easily  escape  in  the  flow  of  liquid 
and  dangerous  symptoms  practically  never  appear. 

Even  in  the  male  the  signs  of  illness  are  at  first  very  slight.  A  close 
observer  may  notice  the  cylinders  of  hard  earthy  materials  encircling 
the  tufts  of  hair  at  the  opening  of  the  prepuce.  It  may  further  be 
observed  that  the  stall  remains  dry  and  that  the  animal  has  not  been 
seen  to  pass  water  when  out  of  doors.  The  tail  may  at  times  be  gently 
raised  and  contractions  of  the  muscle  (accelerator  urinai)  beneath  the 
anus  (Plate  ix,  Fig.  2)  may  take  place  in  a  rythmical  or  pulsating  man- 
ner. But  as  a  rule  no  symptom  is  noticed  for  a  couple  of  days,  only  the 
animal  is  lacking  in  his  usual  spirits.  By  this  time  the  constantly 
accumulating  urine  has  distended  the  bladder  beyond  its  power  of 
resistance  and  a  rupture  occurs,  allowing  the  urine  to  escape  into  the 


DISEASES    OF   THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  165 

cavity  of  the  abdomen.  Then  dullness  increases;  the  animal  lies  down 
most  of  his  time;  he  becomes  stupid  and  sometimes  drowsy,  with  red- 
dish brown  congestion  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  eyelids;  pressure 
on  the  abdomen  causes  pain,  flinching,  and  perhaps  groaning,  and  the 
lowest  part  of  the  belly  fluctuates  more  and  more  as  the  escaping  urine 
accumulates  in  greater  and  greater  amount.  If  at  this  stage  the  oiled 
hand  is  introduced  into  the  rectum  (last  gut)  the  animal  flinches  when 
pressure  is  made  downward  on  the  floor  of  the  pelvis,  and  no  round 
distended  bladder  is  felt.  If  the  same  examination  is  made  prior  to 
the  rupture  the  rounded,  tense,  elastic  bladder  is  felt  extending  for- 
ward into  the  abdomen  containing  one  or  two  gallons  of  liquid.  There 
may  be  uneasy  shifting  of  the  hind  liinbs  and  twisting  of  the  tail,  also 
frequent  lying  down  and  rising,  but  these  symptoms  are  exceptional. 

When  the  obstruction  is  low  down  between  the  thighs  (at  the  S- 
sliaped  flexure),  the  line  of  the  pulsating  urethra  from  the  anus  down- 
ward may  be  felt  distended  with  liquid,  and  though  it  is  seldom  easy 
to  distinguish  the  exact  seat  of  the  stone  by  the  hard  swelling  of  the 
urethra,  yet  there  is  usually  tenderness  at  the  point  of  obstruction,  and 
from  this  it  may  be  accurately  located. 

The  treatment  of  stone  in  the  bladder  or  urethra  consists  in  the 
removal  of  the  stone  by  incision  and  the  use  of  forceps.  (Plate  xi,  Fig.  4.) 
When  the  stone  has  been  arrested  at  the  S-shaped  flexure  just  above 
the  scrotum,  the  patient  being  lean,  the  thickened  tender  part  of  the 
penis  may  be  seized  between  the  fingers  and  thumb  of  the  left  hand, 
while  the  calculus  is  exposed  by  a  free  incision  with  the  knife  held  in 
the  right.  If  there  is  no  other  obstruction  between  this  point  and  the 
bladder,  and  if  the  latter  has  not  yet  ruptured,  a  flow  of  urine  should 
take  place  from  the  opening.  If  there  is  no  escape  of  liquid  a  catheter 
or  sound,  one-fourth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  must  be  passed  up  through 
the  canal  (urethra)  until  it  is  arrested  by  the  next  stone,  on  which  a 
similar  incision  should  then  be  made  to  e fleet  its  extraction.  In  case 
the  stone  has  been  arrested  in  the  portion  of  the  urethra  which  is  in 
front  of  the  arch  of  the  hip  bone  and  inside  the  pelvis,  it  can  only  be 
reached  by  making  an  opening  into  the  urethra  beneath  the  anus  and 
over  the  arch  of  the  hip  bone,  and  from  this  orifice  exploring  the  urethra 
with  fine  forceps  to  the  neck  of  the  bladder  or  until  the  stone  has  been 
reached  and  extracted.  The  operation  requires  a  very  accurate  knowl- 
edge of  the  parts,  owing  to  the  small  size  of  the  canal  (urethra)  to  be 
opened  and  the  great  thickness  of  erectile  tissue  to  be  cut  through, 
while  the  free  flow  of  blood  is  blinding  to  the  operator.  A  staff  should 
always  be  passed  up  through  the  urethra  from  the  lower  wound  if  such 
has  been  made,  or,  in  ease  of  its  absence,  through  the  whole  length  of 
the  penis,  that  organ  having  been  drawn  out  of  its  sheath  until  the 
S  shaped  curve  has  been  effaced  and  the  course  of  the  canal  rendered 
straight.  Upon  the  end  of  this  staff  the  incision  can  be  made  with 
far  more  confidence  and  certainty.  The  oj>eration  can  only  be  under- 


166  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

taken  by  a  skilled  veterinary  anatomist,  but  the  hints  given  above 
may  be  valuable  in  showing  the  stock  owner  when  he  is  being  properly 
served  in  such  a  case. 

In  outlying  districts,  where  no  skilled  operator  can  be  had,  a  trans- 
verse incision  may  be  made  with  a  clean  sharp  knife  through  the  root 
of  the  penis,  just  over  the  arch  of  the  hip  bone,  when  the  urine  will 
flow  out  in  a  full  stream.  The  attendant  bleeding  may  be  ignored,  or 
if  profuse  it  may  be  checked  by  packing  the  wound  firmly  with  cotton 
wool  for  some  hours.  The  urine  will  continue  to  escape  by  the  wound, 
and  the  ox  should  be  fattened  for  the  butcher. 

The  immediate  relief  is  not  to  be  looked  upon  as  a  permanent  cure, 
as  the  calculi  in  the  affected  ox  are  usually  numerous,  and  later  attacks 
are,  therefore,  to  be  looked  for.  Hence  it  is  desirable  to  fatten  and 
kill  such  cases  after  a  successful  operation.  If  a  breeding  animal  is  too 
valuable  to  be  killed  he  should  be  subjected  to  preventive  measures,  as 
laid  down  under  Stone  in  the  Kidney. 

It  should  be  added  that  when  the  bladder  is  filled  with  a  soft  magma 
a  catheter  may  be  introduced  through  the  whole  length  of  the  urethra, 
to  be  employed  in  pumping  water  into  the  bladder.  This  water  is 
extracted  through  the  same  channel  when  it  has  been  charged  with 
the  suspended  solids  by  manipulations  of  the  bladder  with  the  oilep 
hand  introduced  through  the  rectum. 

Calculi  or  grarel  in  the  prepuce  or  sheath. — This  is  usually  a  collection 
of  gravel,  or  a  soft  putty-like  material  which  causes  a  distinct  swelling 
of  the  sheath  and  gives  it  a  soft,  doughy  feeling  when  handled.  It  may 
be  removed  in  part  by  the  oiled  fingers  introduced  into  the  cavity, 
assisted  by  manipulation  from  without,  or  a  tube  may  be  inserted 
behind  the  collection  and  water  pumped  in  until  the  whole  mass  has 
been  evacuated.  Should  even  this  fail  of  success  the  sheath  may  be 
slit  open  from  its  orifice  back  in  the  median  line  below  until  the  offend- 
ing matter  can  be  reached  and  removed.  In  all  such  cases  the  interior 
of  the  sheath  should  be  finally  lubricated  with  sweet  oil  or  vaseline. 
It  is  unnecessary  to  stitch  up  the  wound  made  in  the  sheath.  (See 
Inflammation  of  the  Sheath.) 


DISEASES  OF  THE  URINARY  ORGANS. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATES. 

I'LATK    IX: 

Fig.  1.  Kidney  of  the  ox.  Taken  from  Handbuch  des  Vergleichendcn  Anatomic  des 
Hans  Saugetkiere,  Vol.  7,  1890:  A,  renal  artery  carrying  blood  into  the  kid- 
ney ;  V,  renal  vein  carrying  blood  from  the  kidney  back  to  the  heart ;  H, 
ureter,  the  tube  carrying  the  urine  from  kidney  to  bladder.  It  is  formed  by 
the  union  of  a  number  of  branches  which  begin  as  cups  (calices),  each 
inclosing  the  tip  of  a  conical  mass  of  tissue  from  which  the  urine  exudes. 
1,  Showing  such  papilla  through  the  cups  or  calyx  surrounding  it;  2,  papil- 
}te  with  the  cups  inclosing  them  out  in  half  to  show  their  relation  to  each 
other. 

Fig.  2.  The  male  genital  organs  of  the  ox.  Taken  from  Leisering,  Mueller  & 
Ellenborger,  Handbuch  des  Vcrg.  Anat.  des  Hans  Stittgelhiere:  1,  scrotum,  or 
the  pouch  containing  the  testicles;  2,  tunica  vagiualis,  the  serous  membrane 
enveloping  the  testicles;  3',  right  testicle,  outer  view;  3',  left  testicle,  inner 
view;  4,  epididymis,  or  the  beginning  of  the  excretory  canal  of  the  testicle; 
4',  globus  major,  01  the  head  of  the  epididymis;  4",  globus  minor,  or  the  tail 
of  the  epididymis;  5,  vas  deferens,  the  duct  through  which  the  seminal 
fluid  reaches  the  ejaculatory  ducts;  5',  pelvic  dilatation  of  the  vas  deferens; 
6,  vesicula  sominalis.  The  vesiculic  seminalcs  are  two  oval  pouches,  which, 
in  addition  to  their  own  secretions,  receive  the  semen  conveyed  by  the  sem- 
inal ducts  and  hold  it  in  reserve  until  copulation;  7,  membranous  or  intra- 
pelvic  portion  of  the  urethral  caual  covered  by  Wilson's  muscle;  8,  part  of 
the  prostate  gland  covered  by  Wilson's  muscle;  9,  Cowper's  gland.  This 
gland,  like  the  prostate  glaud,  secretes  a  fluid  which  is  thrown  into  the 
urethral  canal  in  abundance  immediately  before  ejaculation;  the  expulsion 
of  the  semen  is  by  this  means  facilitated;  10,  ejaculator  seminis,  or  accel- 
erator ir.iu.i-  muscle;  11,  penis;  11',  cut  portion  of  same;  12,  cut  suspensory 
ligaments  of  penis;  13,  sheath,  or  prepuce  laid  open;  14,  retractor  muscles 
of  hheath;  15,  cremaster  muscle  cut  at  superior  extremity ;  16,  duplicatnre 
of  peritoneum;  17,  ureters  carrying  urine  from  the  kidneys  to  the  bladder. 
PLATK  X : 

FIR.  1.  In  this  figure  the  minute  apparatus  for  the  secretion,  collection,  and  dis- 
charge of  the  urine  into  the  pelvis  of  the  kidney  (see  preceding  plate)  is 
shown.  The  course  in  ns  follows:  The  iirino  is  secreted  from  the  blood-ves- 
sels in  the.  little  round  bodies  called  glomcruli  (12),  and  by  the  minute  cells 
in  the  curved  tul>c8  (11,  J).  10,  8),  and  passes  through  the  convoluted  and 
straight  tulxvs  (7,  6)  into  the  larger  tube,  (1),  and  then  out  into  the  pelvis, 
thence  through  the  ureters  into  the  bladder.  The  fluid  and  salts  dissolved 
in  the  urino  are  taken  from  the  blood,  and  the  minute  blood  vessels  are  there- 
fore very  abundant  in  the  kidneys,  a*  is  shown  by  the  branches  and  network 
on  the  left  of  the  figure.  The  blood  passes  into  the  kidney  in  the  artery 
(13),  then  divides  into  branches  which  pass  into  the  glomcruli  (12)  and  also 

167 


168  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

PLATK  X — Continued. 

form  networks  around  the  secreting  tubules  (11,  9).  The  urine  and  salts 
pass  from  these  vessels  through  the  cells  lining  the  tubules  into  the  latter, 
and  are  discharged  as  described  above.  The  blood  is  again  collected  in  veins 
drawn  black  in  the  figure. 

Fig.  2.  Illustrates  the  manner  in  which  the  blood  is  distributed  in  the  glomeru- 
lus  /,  and  also  to  the  secreting  tubules  (e). 

Fig.  3.  Shows  the  relation  between  the  blood  vessel  in  the  glomerulus  (e)  and 
the  tiibule  which  conducts  the  urine  therein  secreted  from  the  blood  vessel ; 
(c)  represents  a  glomerulus  from  which  the  urinary  tubule  has  been  removed. 
PLATE  XI: 

Fig.  1.  Calculus  or  stone  from  the  kidney.  These  are  located  in  the  pelvis  or 
portion  of  the  ureter  receiving  the  urine.  The  prolongations  are  casts  of 
the  branches  of  the  pelvis.  See  the  plates  of  the  kidney  for  further  descrip- 
tion. 

Fig.  2.  Calculus  made  up  of  oxalate  of  lime  magnified  215  times. 

Fig.  3.  Phosphatic  calculus  containing  a  nucleus  of  uric  acid,  sawn  through  to 
show  concentric  layers. 

Fig.  4.  Straight  forceps  used  in  removing  stones  from  the  bladder. 

Fig.  5.  Casts  of  the  minute  tubules  of  the  kidney  found  in  the  urine  in  various 
kinds  of  kidney  disease.  Highly  magnified. 


PI. ATI:   ix 


1. 


KIDNKY    AM)   (.KNKI  (ATI\  i:    OIU.ANS 


PLATE     X. 


25 


Marx.  *l>r  PArteval 

MIC!l()S(  Ol'K      ANATOMY  Ol'TIIl-. 


ATI:  xi 


X2I5 


4. 


(ALCl'l.l    OK  KJIJNK.V  AND    MI.ADDKK 


DISEASES  OF  THE  GENERATIVE  ORGANS. 


By  JAMES  LAW,  F.  R.  C.  V.  S., 

Professor  of  Veterinary  Science,  etc.,  in  Cornell  University. 


Diseases  of  the  generative  organs  are  practically  confined  to  animals 
which  are  kept  for  reproduction  and  the  dairy.  The  castration  of  the 
bull  condemns  these  organs  to  inactivity  and  protects  them  from  the 
many  causes  of  injury  attendant  on  the  engorged  blood-vessels  in  the 
frequent  periods  of  sexual  excitement,  on  the  exposure  to  mechanical 
violence,  and  on  the  exposure  to  infective  inoculation.  In  three 
respects  the  castrated  male  is  especially  subject  to  disease:  (1)  To 
inflammation  and  tumefaction  of  the  cut  end  of  the  cord  that  supported 
the  testicle  and  of  the  loose  connective  tissue  of  the  scrotum;  (2)  to 
inflammation  of  the  eheath  and  penis  from  the  accumulation  of  gravel 
iu  the  former,  from  which  the  penis  is  not  usually  protruded  in  passing 
water;  and  (3)  to  bruising,  abrasion,  and  inflammation  of  the  sheath 
and  penis  during  suspension  in  the  stocks  for  the  purpose  of  shoeing. 
Apart  from  these  the  ox  is  practically  almost  exempt  from  the  inflam- 
mations and  injuries  of  the  genital  organs.  The  same  applies  to  the 
castrated  heifer.  Inflammation  may  occur  in  the  broad  ligament  of  the 
womb  whence  the  ovary  has  been  removed,  or  inflammation  in  the 
abdominal  cavity  (peritonitis)  in  case  the  operation  has  been  performed 
through  the  flunk,  as  it  usually  is  in  the  young  heifer.  Apart  from 
these  the  castrated  heifer  is  practically  immune  from  any  trouble  of  the 
generative  apparatus.  Even  the  virgin  heifer  is  little  subject  to  such 
troubles,  though  she  is  not  exempt  from  inflammations,  and  above  all, 
morbid  growths  in  the  ovaries  which  remain  in  place  and  are  function- 
ally very  active  after  the  first  year,  or  in  precocious  animals  after  tho 
first  few  months  of  life.  The  breeding  cow  on  the  other  hand  is  sub- 
jected to  all  the  disturbances  attendant  on  the  gradual  enlargement  of 
the  womb,  the  diversion  of  a  large  mass  of  blood  to  its  walls,  the  con- 
stant drain  of  nutrient  materials  of  all  kinds  for  the  nourishment  of  tho 
fetiu,  the  risks  attendant  and  consequent  on  abortion  and  parturi- 
tion, the  dangers  of  infection  from  the  bull,  the  risks  of  sympathetic 
disturbance  in  case  of  serious  diseases  of  other  organs,  but  preemi- 
nently of  the  urinary  organs  ami  the  udder,  and  finally  the  sudden 
extreme  derangements  of  the  circulation  ami  of  the  nervous  functions 

160 


170  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

which  attend  on  the  sudden  revulsion  of  a  great  mass  of  blood  from  the 
walls  of  the  contracting  womb  into  the  body  at  large  immediately  after 
calving. 

In  reviewing  this  class  of  diseases,  therefore,  we  have  to  note,  first, 
that  they  are  almost  exclusively  restricted  to  breeding  animals;  and, 
second,  that  in  keeping  with  the  absolute  difference  of  the  organs  in  the 
male  and  female  we  find  two  essentially  distinct  lists  of  diseases  affect- 
ing the  two  sexes. 

EXCESS  OF  VENEREAL  DESIEE — SATYRIASIS  IN  MALE — NYMPHOMANIA 

IN  FEMALE. 

This  may  occur  in  the  male  from  too  frequent  sexual  intercourse,  or 
from  injury  and  congestion  of  the  base  of  the  brain  (vaso-dilator  center 
in  the  medulla),  or  of  the  posterior  end  of  the  spinal  cord,  or  it  may  be 
kept  up  by  congestion  or  inflammation  of  the  testicles  or  of  the  mucous 
membrane  covering  the  penis.  It  may  be  manifested  by  a  constant  or 
frequent  erection,  by  attempts  at  sexual  connection,  and  sometimes  by 
the  discharge  of  semen  without  connection.  In  bad  cases  the  feverish- 
ness  and  restlessness  lead  to  loss  of  flesh,  emaciation,  and  physical 
weakness. 

It  is,  however,  in  the  female  especially  that  this  morbid  desire  is 
most  noticeable  and  injurious.  It  may  be  excited  by  the  stimulating 
quality  of  the  blood  in  cows  fed  to  excess  on  highly  nitrogenous  food, 
as  the  seeds  of  the  bean,  pea,  vetch,  tare,  wheat  bran,  middlings,  etc.? 
especially  in  the  case  of  such  as  have  no  free  exercise  in  the  fields,  and 
are  subject  to  constant  association  with  a  vigorous  young  bull.  A  more 
frequent  cause  is  the  excitation  or  congestion  of  some  part  of  the  geni- 
tal organs.  Disease  of  the  ovaries  is  preeminently  the  cause,  and  this 
may  be  by  the  formation  of  cysts  (sacs  containing  liquid),  or  of  solid 
tumors  or  degenerations,  or,  more  commonly  than  all,  the  deposition  of 
tubercle.  Indeed,  in  case  of  tuberculosis  attacking  the  abdominal 
organs  of  cows  the  ovaries  or  the  serous  membranes  that  support  and 
cover  them  (the  broad  ligaments  of  the  womb)  are  peculiarly  subject 
to  attack  and  the  animal  has  constant  sexual  excitement,  incessantly 
riding  or  being  ridden  by  other  cattle,  having  no  leisure  to  eat  nor  chew 
the  cud,  but  moving  restlessly,  wearing  the  flesh  off  its  bones  and  grad- 
ually wasting.  In  some  localities  these  cows  are  known  as  "  bullers," 
because  they  are  nearly  always  disposed  to  take  the  bull,  but  they  do 
not  conceive,  or  if  they  do  they  are  subject  to  early  abortions.  They 
are  therefore  useless  alike  for  the  dairy  and  for  the  feeder,  unless  the 
removal  of  the  ovaries  subdues  the  sexual  excitement,  when  in  the 
absence  of  tuberculous  disease  elsewhere  they  may  be  fattened  for  the 
butcher. 

Among  the  other  sources  of  irritation  charged  with  causing  nympho- 
mania  are  tumors  aud  cancers  of  the  womb,  rigid  closure  of  the  neck  of 
the  womb,  so  that  conception  can  not  occur  and  the  frequent  services 


DISEASES   OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  171 

by  the  male  stimulate  tlie  unsatisfied  appetite,  and  inflammation  ami  a 
purulent 'discharge  from  the  womb  or  vagina. 

The  treatment  in  each  case  will  vary  with  the  cause,  and  is  most  satis- 
factory when  that  cause  is  a  removable  one.  Overfeeding  on  richly 
nitrogenous  food  can  be  stopped,  exercise  in  the  open  field  secured,  dis- 
eased ovaries  may  be  removed  (see  Castration,  p.  317),  catarrhs  of  the 
womb  and  passages  overcome  by  antiseptic  astringent  injections  (see 
Leucorrhoea),  and  tumors  of  the  womb  may  often  be  detached  and 
extracted,  the  mouth  of  that  organ  having  been  first  dilated  by  sponge 
tents  or  otherwise.  The  rubber  dilator  (impregnator)  though  some- 
times helpful  in  the  mare  is  rarely  available  for  the  cow,  owing  to  the 
different  condition  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb. 

DIMINUTION  OR  LOSS  OF  VENEREAL  DESIRE — ANArHRomsiA. 

This  will  occur  in  either  sex  from  low  condition  and  ill  health.  Long 
standing  chronic  diseases  of  important  internal  organs  leading  to 
emaciation  and  weakness,  or  a  prolonged  semi-starvation  in  winter, 
may  be  a  sufficient  cause.  It  is,  however,  much  more  common  as  the 
result  of  degeneration  or  extensive  and  destructive  disease  of  the  secret- 
ing organs  (testicles,  ovaries),  wliich  elaborate  the  male  and  female 
sexual  products  respectively.  Such  diseases  are  therefore  a  common 
cause  of  sterility  in  both  sexes.  The  old  bull,  fat  and  lazy,  becomes 
sluggish  and  unreliable  in  serving,  and  finally  gete  to  be  useless  for 
breeding  purposes.  This  is  not  due  to  his  weight  and  clumsiness  alone, 
but  largely  to  the  fatty  degeneration  of  his  testicles  and  their  excretory 
hich  prevents  the  due  formation  and  maturation  of  the  semen. 

I :  he  has  been  kept  in  extra  high  condition  for  exhibition  in  the  show 
ring  this  disqualification  comes  upon  him  sooner  and  becomes  more 
irremediable. 

Similarly  the  overfed,  inactive  cow,  and  above  all  the  show  cow,  fails 
to  come  in  lieat  at  the  usual  intervals,  shows  little  disposition  to  bike 
the  bull,  and  fails  to  conceive  when  served.  Her  trouble  is  the  same 
in  kind,  namely,  fatty  degeneration  of  the  ovaries  and  of  their  excretory 
ducts  (Fallopian  tubes),  which  prevents  the  formation  or  maturation  of 
the  ovum,  or  when  it  has  formed,  hinders  its  descent  into  the  womb. 
Another  common  defect  in  such  old  fat  cows  is  a  rigid  closure  of  the 
mouth  of  the  womb,  wliich  prevents  conception,  even  if  the  ovum 
reaches  the  interior  of  that  organ,  and  even  if  the  semen  is  discharged 
into  the  vagina. 

The  true  preventive  of  «uch  conditions  is  to  be  found  in  a  sound 
hygiene.  The  breeding  animal  should  be  of  adult  age,  neither  over  nor 
under  fed,  but  well  fed  and  moderately  exercis**!;  in  other  words,  the 
most  vigorous  health  should  be  sought,  not  only  that  a  strong  race  may 
be  propagated,  but  that  the  whole  herd,  or  nearly  so,  may  breed  with 
certainty.  Fleming  piven  79  per  cent  as  the  general  average  of  cows 
that  are  found  to  breed  in  one  year.  Here  more  than  a  lifth  of  the 


172  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

progeny  is  sacrificed,  and  a  fifth  of  the  product  of  the  dairy.  With 
careful  management  the  proportion  of  breeders  should  approach  100 
per  cent.  The  various  local  and  general  obstacles  to  conception  should 
be  carefully  investigated  and  removed.  The  vigorous  health  which 
comes  from  a  sufficiently  liberal  diet  and  abundant  exercise  should  be 
solicited,  and  that  comparative  bloodlessness  and  weakness  which 
advances  with  undue  fattening  should  be  sedulously  avoided.  In  bull 
or  cow  which  is  becoming  unduly  fat  and  showing  indications  of  sexual 
indifference  the  treatment  must  be  active.  Turning  out  on  a  short  pas- 
ture where  it  must  work  hard  for  a  living  will  often  suffice.  The  bull 
which  can  not  be  turned  out  to  pasture  may  sometimes  be  utilized  in 
the  yoke  or  tread  power,  or  he  may  be  kept  a  part  of  his  time  in  a  field 
or  paddock  chained  by  the  ring  in  his  nose  to  a  strong  wire  extending 
from  one  side  of  the  lot  to  the  other,  attached  securely  to  two  trees  or 
posts.  The  wire  should  be  higher  than  the  back  of  the  bull,  which  will 
move  from  end  to  end  at  frequent  intervals.  If  he  is  indisposed  to  take 
sufficient  exercise  in  this  way  he  may  be  safely  driven.  An  instance  of 
the  value  of  exercise  in  these  incipient  cases  of  fatty  degeneration  is 
often  quoted.  The  cow  "Dodona,"  condemned  as  barren  at  Earl  Spen- 
cer's, was  sold  cheap  to  Jonas  Webb,  who  had  her  driven  by  road  a 
distance  of  120  miles  to  his  farm  at  Wilbraham,  soon  after  which  she 
became  pregnant.  In  advanced  cases,  however,  in  which  the  fatty 
degeneration  is  complete,  recovery  is  impossible. 

In  case  of  rigid  closure  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb  the  only  resort  is 
dilatation.  This  is  far  more  difficult  and  uncertain  in  the  cow  than  in 
the  mare.  The  neck  of  the  womb  is  longer,  is  often  tortuous  in  its 
course,  and  its  walls  so  approximated  to  each  other  and  so  rigid  that  it 
may  be  all  but  impossible  to  follow  it,  and  there  is  always  danger  of 
perforating  its  walls  and  opening  into  the  cavity  of  the  abdomen,  or 
short  of  that  of  causing  inflammation  and  a  new  rigid  fibrous  formation 
which,  on  healing,  leaves  matters  worse  than  before.  The  opening  must 
be  carefully  made  with  the  finger,  and  when  that  has  entered  the  womb 
further  dilatation  may  be  secured  by  inserting  a  sponge  tent  or  by 
careful  stretching  with  a  mechanical  dilator.  (Plate  xx,  Fig.  6.) 

STERILITY   FROM   OTHER    CAUSES. 

The  question  as  to  whether  a  bull  is  a  sure  stock-getter  and  whether 
a  cow  is  a  breeder  are  so  important  that  it  would  be  wrong  to  pass  over 
other  prominent  causes  of  sterility.  Breeding  at  too  early  an  age 
is  a  common  source  of  increasing  weakness  of  constitution  which 
has  obtained  in  certain  breeds.  Jerseys  have  especially  been  made 
the  victims  of  this  mistake,  the  object  being  to  establish  the  highest 
milking  powers  in  the  smallest  obtainable  body  which  will  demand  the 
least  material  and  outlay  for  its  constant  repair  of  waste.  With  suc- 
cess in  this  line  there  has  been  the  counterbalancing  disadvantage  of 
impaired  vigor,  with  too  often  lessened  fertility  as  well  as  increased 


DISEASES   OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  173 

predisposition  to  disease.  When  the  heifers  of  the  race  have  for  gener- 
ation after  generation  been  bred  under  a  year  old,  the  demand  for  the 
nourishment  of  the  fetus  is  too  great  a  drain  on  the  immature  animal, 
which  accordingly  remains  small  and  stunted.  As  it  fails  fo  develop 
in  size  so  every  grgan  fails  to  be  nourished  to  perfection.  Similarly 
with  the  immature  bull  put  to  too  many  cows;  he  fails  to  develop  his 
full  size,  vigor,  or  stamina,  and  transfers  his  acquired  weakness  to  his 
progeny.  An  increasing  number  of  barren  females  and  an  increasing 
proclivity  to  abortions  are  the  necessary  results  of  both  courses.  When 
this  early  breeding  has  occurred  accidentally  it  is  well  to  dry  up  the 
dam  just  after  calving,  and  to  avoid  having  her  served  again  until  full 
grown. 

Some  highly -fed  and  plethoric  females  seem  to  escape  conception  by 
the  very  intensity  of  the  generative  ardor.  The  frequent  passage  of 
urine  accompanied  by  contractions  of  the  womb  and  vagina  and  a  pro- 
niM>  secretion  from  their  surfaces,  leads  to  the  expulsion  of  the  semen 
after  it  has  been  lodged  in  the  genital  passages.  This  may  b$  reme- 
<lird  somewhat  by  bleeding  the  cow  shortly  before  putting  to  the  bull, 
so  as  to  diminish  the  richness  and  stimulating  quality  of  the  blood;  or 
better  by  giving  a  pound  and  a  half  of  Epsom  salts  a  day  or  two  before 
she  comes  in  heat,  and  subjecting  her  at  the  same  time  to  a  spare  diet. 
Should  the  excessive  ardor  of  the  cow  not  be  controllable  in  this  way 
she  may  be  shut  up  for  a  day  or  two,  until  the  heat  is  passing  off,  when 
under  the  lessened  excitement  the  semen  is  more  likely  to  be  retained. 

The  various  diseases  of  the  ovaries,  their  tubes,  the  womb,  the  tes- 
ticles and  their  excretory  ducts,  as  referred  to  under  Excess  of  Genera- 
tive Ardor,  are  causes  of  barrenness.  In  this  connection  it  maybe 
named  that  the  discharges  consequent  on  calving  are  fatal  to  the  vitality 
of  semen  introduced  before  these  have  ceased  to  flow,  hence  service  too 
soon  after  calving,  or  that  of  a  cow  which  has  had  the  womb  or  genital 
passages  injured  so  as  to  keep  up  a  muco  purulent  flow  until  the  animal 
•  comes  in  heat,  is  liable  to  fail  of  conception.  Any  such  discharge  should 
be  first  arrested  by  related  injections  as  for  leucorrhu>a,  after  which 
the  male  may  be  admitted. 

Feeding  on  a  very  saccharine  diet,  which  greatly  favors  the  deposition 
of  fat,  seems  to  have  an  even  more  direct  effort  in  preventing  conception 
during  such  regimen.  Among  other  causes  of  barrenness  are  all  those 
that  favor  abortion,  crgotcd  grasses,  smutty  wheat  or  corn,  laxative  or 
diuretic  drinking  water,  and  any  improper  or  musty  feed  that  causes 
indigestions,  colics,  and  diseases  of  the,  urinary  organs,  notably  gravel; 
also  savin,  rue,  cuntharidcH  and  all  other  irritants  of  the  bowels  or 
kidneys. 

Hermaphrodites  are  barren,  of  course,  as  their  sexual  organs  are  not 
distinctively  either  male  or  female.  The  heifer  born  a.s  a  twin  with  a 
bull  is  usually  hermaphrodite  and  barren.  Hut  the  animals  of  either  sex 
in  which  development  of  the  organs  is  arrested  before  they  are  fully 


174  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

matured,  remain  as  in  the  male  or  female  prior  to  puberty,  and  are  barren. 
Jiulls  -with  both  testicles  retained  within  the  abdomen  may  go  through 
the  form  of  serving  a.  cow,  but  the  service  is  unfruitful;  the  sperma- 
tozoa are  not  fully  elaborated.  So  I  have  examined  a  heifer  with  a 
properly  formed  but  very  small  womb,  and  an  extremely  narrow  vagina 
and  vulva,  the  walls  of  which  were  very  muscular,  that  could  never  be 
made  to  conceive.  A  post-mortem  examination  would  probably  have 
disclosed  an  imperfectly  formed  ovary  incapable  of  bringing  ova  to 
maturity. 

A  bull  and  cow  that  have  been  too  closely  inbred  in  the  same  line  for 
generations  may  prove  sexually  incompatible  and  unable  to  generate 
together,  though  both  are  abundantly  prolific  when  coupled  with  animals 
of  other  strains  of  blood. 

Finally  a  bull  may  prove  unable  to  get  stock,  not  from  any  lack  of  sex- 
ual development,  but  from  disease  of  other  organs  (back,  loins,  hind 
limbs),  which  renders  him  unable  to  mount  with  the  energy  requisite  to 
the  perfect  service. 

CONGESTION  AND  INFLAMMATION  OF   THE  TESTICLES — OBCHITIS. 

This  usually  results  from  blows  or  other  direct  injuries,  but  may  be 
..  the  result  of  excessive  service  or  of  the  formation  of  some  new  growth 
(tumor)  in  the  gland  tissue.  The  bull  moves  stiffly,  with  straddling 
gait,  and  the  right  or  left  half  of  the  scrotum  in  which  the  affected  tes- 
ticle lies  is  swollen,  red,  and  tender,  and  the  gland  is  drawn  up  within 
the  sac  and  dropped  down  again  at  frequent  intervals.  It  may  be  treated 
by  rest,  1£  pounds  Epsom  salts  given  in  4  quarts  water,  by  a  restricted 
diet  of  some  succulent  food;  by  continued  fomentations  with  warm 
water  by  means  of  sponges  or  rags  sustained  by  a  sling  passed  around 
the  loins  and  back  between  the  hind  legs.  The  pain  may  be  allayed 
by  smearing  with  a  solution  of  opium  or  of  extract  of  belladonna. 
Should  a  soft  point  appear  indicating  the  formation  of  matter  it  may 
be  opened  with  a  sharp  lancet  and  the  wound  treated  daily  with  a  solu- 
tion of  a  teaspoonful  of  carbolic  acid  in  a  half  pint  of  water.  Usually, 
however,  when  the  inflammation  has  proceeded  to  this  extent  the  gland 
will  be  ruined  for  purposes  of  procreation  and  must  be  cut  out.  (See 
Castration,  p.  316.) 

INFLAMMATION   OF   THE   SHEATH. 

While  this  may  occur  in  bulls  from  infection  during  copulation  and 
from  bruises,  blows,  and  other  mechanical  injuries,  the  condition  is 
more  common  in  the  ox  in  connection  with  the  comparative  inactivity 
of  the  parts.  The  sheath  has  a  very  small  external  opening,  the  mucous 
membrane  of  which  is  studded  with  sebaceous  glands  secreting  a  thick 
unctuous  matter  of  a  strong,  heavy  odor.  Behind  this  orifice  is  a  dis- 
tinct pouch,  in  which  this  unctuous  matter  is  liable  to  accumulate  when 
the  penis  is  habitually  drawn  back.  Moreover,  the  sheath  has  two  mus- 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  175 

cles  which  lengthen  it  (protractors)  passing  into  it  from  the  region  of 
the  navel,  and  two  that  shorten  it  (retractors)  passing  into  it  from  the 
lower  surface  of  the  pelvic  bones  above.  (Plate  ix,  Fig.  2.)  The  protract- 
ors keep  the  sheath  stretched  so  that  it  habitually  covers  the  penis, 
while  the  retractors  shorten  it  up  in  the  act  of  service,  so  that  the  penis 
can  project  to  its  full  extent.  In  stud  bulls  the  frequent  protrusion  of 
the  erect  and  enlarged  penis  and  the  retraction  and  dilatation  of  the 
opening  of  the  sheath  serve  to  empty  the  pouch  and  prevent  any  accumu- 
lation of  sebaceous  matter  or  urine,.  In  the  ox,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
undeveloped  and  inactive  penis  is  usually  drawn  back  so  as  to  leave 
the  anterior  preputial  pouch  empty,  so  that  the  sebaceous  matter  has 
spare  to  accumulate  and  is  never  expelled  by  the  active  retraction  of 
the  sheath  and  protrusion  of  the  erect  penis  in  service.  Again,  the  ox 
rarely  protrudes  the  tip  of  the  penis  in  urination,  the  urine  is  discharged 
into  the  preputial  pouch  and  lodges  and  decomposes  there  so  that  there 
is  a  great  liability  to  the  precipitation  of  ite  earthy  salts  in  the  form  of 
gravel.  The  decomposing  aminoniacal  urine,  the  gritty  crystals  pre- 
cipitated from  it,  and  the  fetid,  rancid,  sebaceous  matter  set  up  inflam- 
mation in  the  delicate  mucous  membrane  lining  the  passage.  The  mem- 
brane is  thickened,  reddened,  rendered  friable  and  ultimately  ulcerated, 
and  the  now  narrowed  sheath  is  blocked  by  the  increasing  mass  of 
sebaceous  and  urinons  material  and  the  decomposing  mucus  and  pus. 
The  penis  can  no  longer  be  protruded,  the  urine  escapes  in  a  small 
stream  tb rough  the  narrowing  sheath,  and  finally  the  outlet  is  com- 
pletely blocked  and  the  urine  distends  the  back  part  of  the  sheath. 
This  will  fluctuate  on  being  handled,  and  soon  the  unhealthy  inflam- 
mation extends  on  each  side  of  it,  causing  a  thick,  doughy,  tender 
swelling  under  the  belly  and  between  the  thighs.  The  next  step  in  the 
morbid  course  is  over-distension  of  the  bladder,  with  the  occurrence  of 
colicky  pains,  looking  at  the  flanks,  uneasy  movements  of  the  hind  limbs, 
raising  or  twisting  of  the  tail,  pulsatory  contractions  of  the  urethra 
under  the  anus,  and  finally  a  false  appearance  of  relief,  which  is  caused 
by  rupture  of  the  bladder.  Before  this  rupture  takes  place  the  dis- 
tended bladder  may  press  on  the  rectum  and  obstruct  the  passage  of 
the  bowel  dejections.  Two  mistakes  are  therefore  probable:  first,  that 
the  bowels  alone  are  to  be  relieved,  and,  second,  that  the  trouble 
is  obstruction  of  the  urethra  by  a  stone,  Hence  the  need  of  examining 
the  sheath  and  pushing  the  finger  into  its  opening  to  see  that  there  is 
no  obstruction  there,  in  all  cases  of  retention  of  urine,  over-distended 
bladder,  or  blocked  rectum  in  the  ox.  The  disease  may  be  acute  or 
chronic,  the  first  by  reason  of  acute  adhesive  inflammation  blocking 
the  outlet,  the  second  by  gradual  thickening  and  ulceration  of  the 
sheath  and  blocking  by  the  sebaceous  and  calculous  accretions. 

The  treatment  of  this  affection  will  depend  on  the  stage.  If  recent 
and  no  instant  danger  of  rupture  of  the  bladder,  the  narrow  opening  of 
the  sheath  should  be  freely  cut  open  in  the  median  line  below,  and  the 


176  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

sac  emptied  out  with  a  finger  or  spoon,  after  which  it  should  be  thor- 
oughly washed  with  tepid  water.  To  make  the  cleansing  more  thor- 
ough a  catheter  or  a  small  rubber  tube  may  be  inserted  well  back  into 
the  sheath,  and  water  may  be  forced  through  it  from  a  syringe  or  a  run- 
nel inserted  into  the  other  end  of  the  tube  and  considerably  elevated.  A 
fountain  syringe,  which  should  be  found  in  every  house,  answers  admira- 
bly. The  sheath  may  be  daily  washed  out  with  tepid  water,  with  a 
suds  made  with  castile  soap,  or  with  a  weak  solution  of  sulphate  of  zinc 
(one-half  dram  to  a  quart  of  water).  If  these  attentions  are  impossible, 
most  cases,  after  cleansing,  will  do  well  if  merely  driven  through  clean 
water  up  to  the  belly  once  a  day^ 

In  case  the  disease  has  progressed  to  absolute  obstruction,  with  the 
bladder  ready  to  rupture  any  moment,  no  time  must  be  lost  in  opening 
into  the  urethra  with  a  sharp  knife  over  the  bony  arch  under  the  anus, 
where  the  pulsations  are  seen  in  urinating.  This  incision  is  best  made 
in  the  median  line  from  above  downward,  but  in  the  absence  of  a  skill- 
ful operator  a  transverse  incision  with  a  sharp  knife  over  the  bone  in 
the  median  line  until  the  urine  flows  with  a  gush  is  better  than  to  let 
the  patient  die.  Considerable  blood  will  be  lost  and  the  wound  will 
heal  tardily,  but  the  ox  will  be  preserved.  Then  the  slitting  and  cleans- 
ing of  the  sheath  can  be  done  at  leisure  as  described  above.  In  case 
the  bladder  is  ruptured  the  case  is  hopeless. 

INFLAMMATION   OF   THE    SHEATH  AND   PENIS   FROM  BRUISING. 

This  also  is  an  aJffection  of  work  oxen,  caused  by  the  pressure 
and  friction  of  the  sling  when  the  animals  are  held  in  the  stocks  for 
shoeing.  This  crushing  of  both  sheath  and  penis  for  half  an  hour  or 
more  leads  to  the  development,  some  hours  later,  of  a  hard,  hot,  and 
painful  swelling,  extending  from  the  scrotum  as  far  as  the  opening  of 
the  sheath.  Fever  sets  in,  with  dry  muzzle,  red  eyes,  hard,  full,  rapid 
pulse,  accelerated  breathing  and  elevated  temperature.  The  ox  stands 
obstinately  with  his  hind  legs  drawn  apart  and  urine  falling  drop  by 
drop  from  the  sheath.  Appetite  and  rumination  are  suspended.  In 
twenty-four  hours  there  may  be  indications  of  advancing  gangrene 
(mortification),  the  swelling  becomes  cold,  soft,  and  doughy;  it  may 
even  crack  slightly  from  the  presence  of  gas,  a  reddish  brown  fetid 
liquid  oozes  from  the  swelling,  especially  around  the  edges,  and  if  the 
animal  survives  it  is  only  with  a  great  loss  of  substance  of  the  sheath 
and  penis. 

The  prevention  of  such  an  injury  is  easy.  It  is  only  necessary  to  see 
that  the  slings  shall  not  press  upon  the  posterior  part  of  the  abdomen. 
They  must  be  kept  in  front  of  the  sheath. 

Treatment,  to  be  effectf  '•  ?,  must  be  prompt  and  judicious.  Put  a 
strap  around  the  patient  with  soft  pads  in  contact  with  the  affected 
parts,  constantly  soaked  in  cold  water  for  at  least  twenty-four  hours. 
A  pound  or  two  of  Epsom  salts  in  4  quarts  of  hot  water  should  also  be 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  177 

given.  The  second  day  the  parts  may  be  washed  with  1  quart  of  witch- 
hazel  (extract),  2  drams  sugar  of  lead,  and  1  ounce  laudanum,  or  the 
cold  water  irrigations  may  be  continued  if  the  active  inflammation  per- 
sists. In  case  the  swelling  continues  hard  and  resistant  it  may  be 
pricked  at  the  most  prominent  points  to  the  depth  of  one-third  of 
an  inch,  with  a  lancet  first  dipped  in  dilute  carbolic  acid,  and  the 
whole  surface  should  be  washed  frequently  with  chlorine  water  or 
other  antiseptic. 

When  softening  occurs  in  the  center  of  a  hard  mass  and  fluctuation 
can  be  felt  between  two  fingers  pressed  on  different  parts  of  such  soft- 
ening, it  should  be  freely  opened  to  let  out  the  putrid  pus  and  the  cavity 
should  be  syringed  often  with  chlorine  water. 

In  bad  cases  extensive  sloughs  of  dead  skin,  of  the  whole  wall  of  the 
sheath,  and  even  of  the  penis,  may  take  place,  which  will  require  care- 
ful antiseptic  treatment.  The  soaking  of  the  urine  into  the  inflamed 
and  softened  tissue,  and  the  setting  up  of  putrefactive  action  not  only 
endangers  great  destruction  of  the  tissues  from  putrid  inflammation, 
but  even  threatens  life  itself  from  a  general  blood  poisoning  (septicae- 
mia.) Every  case  should  have  skillful  treatment  to  meet  its  various 
phases,  but  in  the  severe  ones  this  is  most  urgently  demanded. 

INFLAMMATION   OF  THE   URETHRA — GONORRHCEA. 

Like  other  males,  the  bull  sometimes  suffers  from  inflammation  of  the 
canal  which  conveys  the  urine  through  the  penis,  and  forms  a  conse- 
quent whitish  inuco-puralent  discharge.  It  may  have  originated  in 
gravels,  the  excitement  of  too  frequent  service,  infection  from  a  cow 
with  leucorrhrea,  or  from  extension  of  inflammation  from  the  sheath. 
Beside  the  oozing  of  the  whitish  liquid  from  the  end  of  the  penis  and 
sheath,  there  is  tenderness  and  pain  when  handled,  and  while  there  is 
no  actual  arrest  of  the  urine,  its  flow  is  subject  to  frequent  voluntary 
checks,  as  the  scalding  liquid  irritates  the  tender  surface.  If  recognized 
before  the  discharge  sets  in  a  dose  of  Ig  pounds  of  Epsom  salts,  and 
local  warm  fomentations  would  be  appropriate.  After  the  onset  of  the 
whitish  discharge  a  daily  injection  into  the  penis  of  a  solution  of  20 
grains  of  permanganate  of  potash  in  a  pint  of  water  will  be  beneficial. 

WARTS   AND    PAPILLARY    GROWTHS   <>N    THE    PENIS. 

These  arc  not  frequent  in  bull  or  ox.  They  may  interfere  with  the 
protrusion  of  the  organ  from  its  sheath  or  with  service,  and  always  give 
rise  to  a  bad  smelling  discharge.  They  may  be  twisted  off  with  the 
thumb  and  forefinger,  or  cut  off  with  a  pair  of  scissors  and  the  seat 
burned  with  a  pencil  of  lunar  caustic.  To  got  hold  of  the  penis  in  the 
bull  bring  him  up  to  a  cow.  In  the  ox  it  will  bo  necessary  to  push  it 
out  by  manipulation  through  the  Hheath.  In  difficult  cases  the  narrow 
opening  of  the  sheath  may  be  slit  open. 
24097 12 


178  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

WOUNDS    OF    THE   PENIS. 

X 

The  most  common  wounds  are  those  sustained  by  blows  of  horns, 
sticks,  etc.  The  blood-vessels  and  sacs  are  ruptured  to  a  greater  or  less 
extent  and  considerable  swellings  filled  with  coagulated  blood  and 
inflammatory  products  occur,  leading  to  distortion  of  the  organ,  audit 
may  be  to  the  impossibility  of  protruding  it.  A  lotion  of  a  dram  of 
alum  in  a  quart  of  water  may  be  applied  (injected  into  ^the  sheath,  if 
necessary),  and  a  large  sponge  constantly  irrigated  by  a  stream  of  cold 
water  may  be  kept  applied  by  means  of  a  surcingle  to  the  outer  side 
of  the  sheath.  Incisions  are  rarely  applicable  to  an  organ  of  this  kind, 
but  in  case  of  the  existence  of  an  extensive  clot  which  is  unlikely  to 
be  absorbed  the  lancet  may  be  resorted  to. 

If  the  injury  leads  to  paralysis  of  the  penis  and  hanging  out  of  its 
sheath,  it  should  be  supported  in  a  sling  and  astringents  used  freely 
until  inflammation  subsides.  Then  the  restoration  of  power  may  be 
sought  by  a  blister  between  the  thighs,  by  the  use  of  electricity,  or  by 
the  careful  use  of  nerve  stimulants,  such  as  strychnia  (2  grains  daily). 

ULCERS    ON   THE    PENIS. 

Sores  on  the  penis  of  the  bull  may  result  from  gravel  or  sebaceous 
masses  in  the  sheath,  or  from  having  served  a  cow  with  leucorrhoea. 
They  may  be  treated  by  frequent  injections  into  the  sheath  of  a  lotion 
made  with  1  dram  sugar  of  lead,  60  drops  carbolic  acid  and  1  quart 
water. 

POLYPUS   OF   THE   VAGINA   OR,   UTERUS. 

A  polypus  is  a  tumor  growing  from  the  mucous  membrane,  and  often 
connected  to  it  by  a  narrow  neck.  A  definite  cause  can  not  always  be 
assigned.  If  growing  in  the  vagina  a  polypus  may  project  as  a  red- 
dish, rounded  tumor  from  the  vulva,  especially  during  the  act  of  passing 
water.  It  can  be  distinguished  from  descent  of  the  womb  by  the 
absence  of  the  orifice  of  that  cavity,  which  can  be  felt  by  the  oiled 
hand  beyond  the  tumor  in  the  depth  of  the  vagina.  From  a  ATaginal 
hernia  caused  by  the  protrusion  of  some  abdominal  organ  enveloped 
by  the  relaxed  wall  of  the  vagina  it  may  be  distinguished  by  its  per- 
sistence, its  firm  substance  and  the  impossibility  of  returning  it  into 
the  abdomen  by  pressure.  A  hernia  containing  a  portion  of  bowel  gur- 
gles when  handled  and  can  be  completely  effaced  by  pressure,  the  gut" 
passing  back  into  the  abdomen. 

A  polypus  iii  the  womb  is  less  easily  recognized.  At  the  time  of 
calving  it  may  be  felt  through  the  open  mouth  of  the  womb  and  recog- 
nized by  the  educated  touch  (it  must  be  carefully  distinguished  from 
the  mushroom-formed  cotyledons  (Plate  xni,  Fig.  2),  to  which  in  rumi- 
nants the  fetal  membranes  are  attached).  At  other  times,  unless  the 
womb  is  opened  in  the  effort  to  expel  it,  the  polypus  can  only  be  detected 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  179 

by  examining  the  womb  with  the  oiled  hand  introduced  through  the 
rectum.  *. 

Polypi  may  cause  a  inuco-puruleut  discharge,  or  they  may  only  be 
suspected  when  they  prove  an  obstacle  to  parturition.  The  best  way 
to  remove  them  is  to  put  the  chain  of  an  ecraseur  around  the  neck  or 
pedicel  of  the  tumor  and  tear  it  through ;  or  the  narrow  neck  may  be 
torn  through  by  the  emasculator,  or  in  an  emergency  it  may  be  twisted 
through  by  rotating  the  tumor  on  its  own  axis.  The  removal  of  the 
tumor  will  allow  calving  to  proceed,  after  which  the  sore  may  be  treated 
by  a  daily  injection  of  one-half  dram  sulphate  of  zinc,  1  dram  carbolic 
acid,  and  1  quart  milk-warm  water. 

SIGNS   OF  PREGNANCY. 

If  a  cow  remains  for  three  or  four  weeks  after  service  without  show- 
ing signs  of  heat  (bulling)  she  is  probably  pregnant.  There  are  very 
exceptional  cases  in  which  the  well-fed  cow  will  accept  the  bull  weeks 
or  months  after  actual  conception,  and  others  equally  exceptional  in 
which  the  well-thriven  but  unimpregnated  female  will  refuse  the  male 
persistently,  but  these  in  no  way  invalidate  the  general  rule. 

The  bull,  no  matter  how  vigorous  nor  how  ardent  his  sexual  instinct, 
can  not  be  made  to  pay  any  attention  to  a  cow  which  is  not  in  heat  ; 
hence  indications  of  pregnacy  can  be  had  from  both  the  male  and  female 
side.  When  she  has  conceived  the  cow  usually  becomes  more  quiet  and 
docile,  and  lays  on  flesh  and  fat  more  rapidly,  especially  during  the  first 
four  months  of  gestation.  The  stimulus  to  digestion  and  nutrition 
created  by  the  demands  of  the  growing  fetus,  added  to  the  quieter  and 
more  uneventful  life,  contributes  to  this  result.  Some  feeders  avail  of 
this  disposition  to  prepare  heifers  and  cows  speedily  for  the  butcher. 

The  enlargement  of  the  abdomen,  and  its  dropping  so  that  it  bulges 
below  and  to  each  side,  while  it  falls  in  at  the  flank,  between  the  outer 
angle  of  the  hip  bone  and  the  last  rib,  are  significant  features  which, 
though  they  may  be  caused  by  abdominal  tumor  or  dropsy,  are  usually 
marks  of  pregnancy.  From  the  same  increasing  weight  of  the  abdomen 
the  spine  in  the  region  of  the  loins  sinks  so  that  the  bones  of  the  croup 
seem  to  rise,  especially  back  towards  the  root  of  the  tail.  In  the  early 
stages  of  pregnancy  the  udder  develops  slowly,  and  towards  its  comple- 
tion quite  rapidly.  For  a  long  time  there  is  merely  a  sense  of  greater 
fullness  when  handled;  the  wrinkles  in  the  skin  become  shallower  and 
arc  effaced,  and  the  teats  are  materially  enlarged.  Beginning  a  few 
weeks  after  conception,  this  tends  to  a  steady  development,  though 
slight,  alternations  in  the  sense  of  successive  growth  and  shrinkage  are 
not  uncommon.  In  milking-cows  this  does  not  hold,  as  the  milk  usually 
tends  to  a  steady  diminution  and  the  udder  shrinks  slowly  until  near 
the  completion  of  the  ]>eriod,  when  it  undergoes  its  sudden  remarkable 
development,  and  yields  at  first  a  serous  liquid  and  (hen  the  yellow 
colostrum,  which  coagulates  when  heated.  AB  pregnancy  advances  the 


180  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

mucous  membrane  lining  the  vulva  becomes  swollen  and  of  a  darker 
bluish  red  hue,  and  the  mucous  secretion  increases,  becoming  very 
abundant  just  before  calving.  When  the  feeding  has  not  been  altered 
nor  restricted  a  steady  diminution  of  the  salts  of  lime,  excreted  in  the 
urine,  is  an  attendant  on  pregnancy,  the  lime  being  demanded  for  the 
growing  body  of  the  fetus. 

After  the  fifth  month  the  movements  of  the  calf  may  often  be  observed 
in  the  right  flank,  nearly  in  front  of  the  stifle,  when  the  cow  is  drinking 
cold  water.  The  sensation  of  cold  on  the  side  of  the  first  stomach, 
which  lies  to  the  left  and  directly  below  the  womb  (Plate  i),  stimulates 
the  calf  to  active  movements,  which  are  detected  on  the  sudden  jerking 
outward  of  the  abdominal  wall  as  if  from  blows  delivered  from  within. 
In  a  loose  pendant  abdomen  in  the  latter  months  of  gestation  the  skin 
may  often  be  seen  pushed  out  at  a  sharp  angle,  irrespective  of  the 
period  of  drinking. 

Another  mode  of  examination  through  the  flank  is  by  touch.  The 
palm  of  the  hand  is  pressed  strongly  inward,  about  8  inches  in  front  of 
the  stifle  and  a  little  below,  several  times  in  succession  and  is  then 
brought  to  rest  with  the  pressure  maintained.  Presently  there  are 
felt  distinct  and  characteristic  movements  of  the  fetus,  which  has  been 
disturbed  and  roused  to  action.  Another  mode  is  to  press  the  closed 
fist  strongly  inward  in  the  same  situation  and  hold  it  so,  forming  a  deep 
indentation  in  the  abdominal  wall.  Presently  the  knuckles  are  felt  to 
be  struck  by  a  solid  body,  which  is  no  other  than  the  fetus  that  had 
been  displaced  to  the  left  by  the  push  of  the  hand,  and  now  floats  back 
in  its  liquid  covering  (amniotic  fluid — see  Plate  xn)  downward  and  to 
the  right. 

Of  all  the  modes  of  examination  by  touch,  that  done  through  the 
rectum  gives  the  earliest  satisfactory  indications.  The  hand  and  arm 
well  oiled  are  introduced,  and  the  excrement  having  been  removed  if 
necessary,  the  palm  of  the  hand  is  turned  downward  and  the  floor  of 
the  pelvis  carefully  examined.  There  will  be  felt  in  the  median  line 
the  pear-shaped  outline  of  the  bladder,  more  or  less  full,  rounded  or 
tense,  according  to  the  quantity  of  urine  it  contains.  Between  this  and 
the  hand  will  be  felt  a  soft,  somewhat  rounded  tubular  body,  which 
divides  in  front  into  two  smaller  tubes  or  branches,  extending  to  the 
right  and  left  into  the  abdomen.  This  is  the  womb,  which  in  its  virgin 
or  unimpregnated  condition  is  of  nearly  uniform  size  from  before  back- 
ward, the  main  part  or  body  being  from  1£  to  2  inches  across,  and  the 
two  anterior  branches  or  horns  being  individually  little  over  an  inch 
wide.  Immediately  after  conception  the  body  and  one  of  the  horns 
begin  to  enlarge,  the  vacant  horn  remaining  disproportionately  small, 
and  the  enlargement  will  be  most  marked  at  one  point  where  a  solid 
rounded  mass  indicates  the  presence  of  the  growing  embryo.  In  case 
of  twins  both  horns  are  enlarged.  At  a  more  advanced  stage,  when 
the  embryo  begins  to  assume  the  form  of  the  future  animal,  the  rounded 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  181 

form  gives  place  to  a  more  or  less  irregular  nodular  mass,  while  later 
still  the  head,  limbs,  and  body  of  the  fetus  may  be  distinctly  made  out. 
The  chief  source  of  fallacy  is  found  in  the  very  pendant  abdomen  of 
certain  cows,  into  which  in  advanced  gestation  the  fetus  has  dropped 
so  low  that  it  can  not  be  felt  by  the  hand  in  the  rectum.  The  absence 
of  the  distinct  outline  of  the  vacant  womb,  however,  and  the  clear  indi- 
cations obtained  on  external  examination  through  the  right  flank  will 
serve  to  prevent  any  mistake.  The  fetus  may  still  be  felt  through  the 
rectum  if  the  abdomen  is  raised  by  a  sheet  passed  from  side  to  side 
beneath  it. 

Still  another  sign  is  the  beating  of  the  fetal  heart,  which  may  be 
heard  in  the  latter  half  of  pregnancy  when  the  ear  is  pressed  on  the 
think  in  front  of  the  right  stifle,  or  from  that  downward  to  the  udder. 
The  beats,  which  are  best  heard  in  the  absence  of  rumbling,  are  about 
120  per  minute,  and  easily  distinguished  from  any  bowel  sounds  by 
their  perfect  regularity. 

DURATION  OF   PREGNANCY. 

From  extended  statistics  it  is  found  that  the  average  duration  of 
pregnancy  in  the  cow  is  285  days.  A  calf  born  at  the  two  hundred  and 
fortieth  day  may  live,  and  a  case  is  reported  by  Dietrichs  of  a  calf  born 
on  the  three  hundred  and  thirty-fifth  day,  and  another  by  the  American 
Journal  of  Medical  Science  as  born  on  the  three  hundred  and  thirty- 
sixth  day.  It  is  the  general  observation  that  in  the  majority  of  pro- 
longed pregnancies  the  offspring  is  male.  Lord  Spencer  found  a  pre- 
ponderance of  males  between  the  two  hundred  and  ninetieth  and  the 
three  hundredth  days,  but  strangely  enough  all  born  after  the  three 
hundredth  day  under  his  observation  were  females.  It  might  be 
reasonably  inferred  that  while  the  prevailing  tendency  is  to  carry  the 
males  overtime,  yet  that  the  smaller  and  comparatively  much  less  devel- 
oped female  sometimes  fails  to  stimulate  the  womb  to  contraction  until 
very  far  beyond  the  regular  date. 

HYGIENE    OF    THE    PREGNANT    COW. 

Among  domestic  animals  considerations  of  hygiene  must  be  made 
subservient  to  profit,  and  therefore  the  first  consideration  is  not  to 
secure  the  most  robust  health,  but  such  a  measure  of  vigor  and  stamina 
as  is  compatible  with  the  most  profitable  utilization  of  the  animal.  The 
breeding  cow  must  earry  a  calf  every  year,  and  this  notwithstanding 
that  she  is  at  the  same  time  suckling  another  large  growing  calf.  The 
dairy  cow  must  breed  every  year,  and  at  the  same  time  must  furnish 
a  generous  flow  of  milk  for  from  nine  to  eleven  months  yearly.  If  her 
health  is  lowered  thereby,  or  her  life  shortened,  the  question  of  profit 
must  still  hold  sway  and  she  must  yield  her  place  to  another  when  dis- 
qualified. There  are  exceptions,  of  course,  but  this  rule  generally 
holds. 


182  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

There  arc  certain  points,  however,  in  which  the  interests  of  hygiene 
may  be  considered.  The  pregnant  cow  should  have  exercise,  and  as 
regards  both  exercise  and  food,  nothing  is  better  than  a  run  on  a  smooth 
pasture.  She  should  be  withheld  from  all  violent  excitement,  hunting 
with  dogs,  riding  or  being  ridden  by  cows  in  heat,  driving  in  herd 
rapidly  through  narrow  gateways,  causing  to  jump  ditches  or  fences, 
subjecting  to  blows  with  the  horns  of  pugnacious  cattle,  driving  on  icy 
or  otherwise  slippery  ground,  carrying  in  railroad  cars,  kicking  by 
vicious  attendants,  and  fastening  or  throwing  down  for  operations.  The 
diet  should  be  good,  not  of  a  kind  to  fatten,  but  with  a  generous  amount 
of  nitrogenous  constituents  which  will  favor  at  once  the  yield  of  milk 
and  the  nourishment  of  the  fetus.  Aliments  rich  in  lime  and  phos- 
phates, like  wheat  bran,  middlings,  etc.,  can  be  used  to  advantage,  as 
there  is  a  constant  drain  of  earthy  salts  for  the  building  of  the  body  of 
the  calf,  and  thereby  the  danger  of  undue  concentration  of  the  urine 
is  lessened. 

Hard,  innutritions,  and  indigestible  aliments,  musty  grain  or  hay,  par-' 
tially  ripened  rye-grass,  millet,  Hungarian  grass,  vetches,  peas,  or  maize 
are  objectionable,  as  they  are  liable  to  cause  indigestion  or  even  paralysis ; 
and  corn  or  hay  affected  by  smut  or  ergot,  or  that  has  been  spoiled  by 
wet,  overripened,  and  rendered  fibrous  and  innutritions,  are  equally 
objectionable.  The  food  should  be  in  the  main  laxative,  as  costiveness 
and  straining  are  liable  to  cause  abortion.  Roots  and  green  food  that 
have  been  frosted  are  objectionable,  as  being  liable  to  cause  indigestion, 
though  in  their  fresh  condition  most  wholesome  and  desirable.  Ice- 
cold  water  should  be  avoided,  as  calculated  to  check  the  flow  of  milk, 
to  derange  digestion,  and  to  cause  abortion.  A  good  temperature  for  the 
drink  of  the  dairy  cow  is  55°  F. 

In  the  case  of  plethoric  and  heavy  milking  cows  of  mature  age  and 
in  the  prime  of  life,  the  hitherto  liberal  diet  must  be  changed  at  the 
last  week  for  the  scantiest  possible  fare,  and  the  bowels  must  be  kept 
open  by  laxatives,  if  need  be,  if  the  owner  would  avoid  milk  fever. 
The  pregnant  cow  should  be  kept  away  from  the  sight  and  odor  of  dead 
carcasses,  from  the  smell  of  decomposing  animal  matter,  and  from  stag- 
nant and  corrupting  water.  Her  stall  should  not  incline  downward 
from  shoulder  to  croup,  lest  the  pressure  of  the  abdominal  organs 
should  produce  protrusion  or  abortion.  She  should  be  kept  aloof 
from  all  causes  of  acute  diseases,  and  all  existing  diseases  should  be 
remedied  speedily  and  with  as  little  excitement  of  the  abdominal 
organs  as  possible.  Strong  purgatives  and  diuretics  are  to  be  especially 
avoided,  unless  it  be  in  the  very  last  days  of  gestation  in  very  plethoric 
cows. 

Finally,  in  the  case  of  pure  breeds,  close  association  with  animals  of 
other  breeds  or  crosses,  or  with  animals  of  other  colors,  forms,  or  with 
defects,  is  to  be  carefully  guarded  against.  The  effects  shown  in  the 
progeny  may  be  exceptional,  yet  they  are  none  the  less  sources  of  pre- 
ventible  loss. 


DISEASES   OF   THE    GENERATIVE   ORGANS.  183 

PBOTBUSION   OF    THE   VAGINA  —  PROLAPSUS  VAGINAE. 

This  is  common  during  pregnancy,  from  chronic  relaxation  of  the 
vaginal  walls  and  from  lying  in  stalls  that  are  lower  behind  than  in 
front.  The  protrusion  is  of  a  rounded  form  and  smooth,  and  if  it 
embraces  both  sides  of  the  canal  it  is  double  with  a  passage  between. 
It  may  sometimes  be  remedied  by  raising  the  hind  part  of  the  stall 
hi.u'her  than  the  front  part.  This  failing,  a  truss  may  be  applied  as  for 
eversion  of  the  womb,  and  worn  until  the  period  of  calving  approaches. 
(Plates  xxii.  xxni.) 

HERNIA   (BEEACH)   OF   THE   UTERUS. 

This  occurs  usually  in  advanced  pregnancy,  from  a  gradual  relaxa- 
tion and  distension  of  the  lower  wall  of  the  abdomen,  in  the  region  of 
the  udder,  so  that  the  latter  is  displaced  downward,  and  in  the  sac 
above  and  in  front  of  it  may  be  felt  the  form  and  movements  of  the 
.  In  other  cases  the  womb  escapes  through  a  great  laceration  of 
the  abdominal  muscles  to  one  side  of  the  udder,  and  the  hernial  mass 
extends  down  to  one  side  of  that  organ.  However  unsightly,  this 
often  allows  the  animal  to  complete  its  pregnancy  naturally,  and  a 
broad  supporting  bandage  placed  around  the  abdomen  is  about  all 
that  can  be  recommended.  After  calving  it  is  best  to  fatten  the  cow. 

CRAMPS   OF   THE   HIND   LIMBS. 

The  compression  by  the  \vonib  and  fetus  of  the  nerves  passing 
through  the  pelvis  sometimes  causes  cramp  and  inability  to  move  the 
limb,  but  it  disappears  under  friction  and  motion  and  is  never  seen 
after  calving. 

DROPSY    OF   THE    HIND    LIMBS   AND   BETWEEN    THE    THIGHS. 

In  the  latter  months  of  pregnancy  the  hind  legs  may  swell  beneath 
the  hocks,  or  a  soft  swelling  which  pits  on  pressure  with  the  linger 
appears  from  the  vulva  down  between  the  thighs  to  the  udder  and  in 
front.  It  is  mainly  due  to  the  pressure  of  the  enlarged  womb  on  the 
blood-vessels,  is  not  dangerous,  and  disappears  after  calving. 

DROPSY  OF  THE  MEMBRANES  OF  THE  FETUS  —  DROPSY  OF  THE 


The  unimpregnated  womb  may  be  filled  with  a  dropsical  fluid,  but 
the  pregnant  womb  is  more  liable  to  become  overdistended  by  an  excess 
of  fluid  in  the  inner  water-bag  in  whieh  the  fetus  floats.  (Plate  xn.) 
From  an  unhealthy  state  of  this  membrane  or  of  the  blood  of  the  fetus 
(watery  blood)  this  liquid  may  go  on  accumulating  until  the  cow  seems 
almost  as  broad  as  she  is  long.  If  the  trouble  has  not  originated  in  the 
ill  health  of  the  cow,  the  result  isstilltodrawoii  her  system,  overtax  her 
strength,  and  derange  her  digestion  so  that  the  result  may  prove  fatal 


184  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

to  both  mother  and  offspring.  On  the  other  hand,  I  have  known 
extreme  cases  come  to  the  natural  term  without  help,  and  produce  a 
living  calf,  after  which  the  dam  did  well.  The  natural  resort  is  to  draw 
off  a  portion  of  the  fluid  through  a  hollow  needle  passed  through  the 
neck  of  the  womb  or  through  its  tense  wall  adjacent.  This  may  be 
repeated  several  times,  as  demanded  to  relieve  the  cow  from  the  injuri- 
ous distension. 

PARALYSIS   OF   THE   HIND  PARTS. 

In  ill-fed,  weak,  unthrifty  cows  palsy  of  the  hind  limbs  and  tail  may 
appear  in  the  last  weeks  of  pregnancy.  The  anus  and  rectum  may 
participate  in  the  palsy  so  far  as  to  prevent  defecation,  and  the  rectum 
is  more  or  less  completely  impacted.  Exposure  to  wet  and  cold  are 
often  accessory  causes,  though  the  low  condition,  general  weakness, 
and  the  pressure  on  the  nerves  going  to  the  hind  limbs  are  not  to  be 
forgotten.  Something  may  be  done  for  these  cases  by  a  warm  dry  bed, 
an  abundant  diet  fed  warm,  frictions  with  straw  wisps  or  with  a  liniment 
of  equal  parts  of  oil  of  turpentine  and  sweet  oil  on  the  loins,  croup,  and 
limbs,  by  the  daily  use  of  ginger  and  gentian,  by  the  cautious  adminis- 
tration of  strychnia  (2  grains  twice  daily),  and  by  sending  a  current  of 
electricity  daily  from  the  loins  through  the  various  groups  of  muscles 
in  the  hind  limbs.  The  case  becomes  increasingly  hopeful  after  calving, 
though  some  days  may  still  elapse  before  the  animal  can  support  herself 
upon  her  limbs. 

EXTRA-UTERINE     GESTATION  —  FETUS     DEVELOPING     OUTSIDE     THE 

WOMB. 

These  curious  cases  are  rare  and  are  usually  divided  into  three  types : 
(1)  That  in  which  the  fetus  is  formed  in  or  on  the  ovary  (ovarian  gesta- 
tion); (2)  that  in  which  it  is  lodged  in  the  fallopian  tube  or  canal 
between  the  ovary  and  womb  (tubaLgestation);  and  (3)  that  in  which 
it  is  lodged  in  the  abdominal  cavity  and  attached  to  one  or  more  of  its 
contents  from  which  it  draws  its  nourishment  (abdominal  gestation). 
Undoubted  cases  of  the  first  and  last  varieties  are  recorded  as  occurring 
in  the  cow.  The  explanation  of  such  cases  is  to  be  found  in  the  fact 
that  the  actively  moving  sperm  cells  (spermatozoa)  thrown  into  the 
womb  have  made  their  way  through  the  fallopian  tubes  to  the  ovary. 
If  they  met  and  impregnated  an  ovum  in  the  tube,  and  if  the  conse- 
quent growth  of  that  ovum  prevented  its  descent  and  caused  its  impris- 
onment within  the  tube,  it  developed  there,  getting  attached  to  and 
drawing  nourishment  from  the  mucous  walls.  Such  product  has  its 
development  arrested  by  compression  by  the  undilatable  tube,  or  burst- 
ing through  the  walls  of  the  tube  it  escapes  into  the  abdomen  and 
perishes.  If,  on  the  contrary,  the  spermatozoa  only  meet  and  impregnate 
the  ovum  on  or  in  the  ovary,  the  development  may  take  place  in  the 
substance  of  the  ovary  from  which  the  fetus  draws  its  nourishment, 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  185 

or  the  impregnated  ovum  escaping  between  the  ovary  and  the  open 
end  of  the  tube  falls  into  the  abdominal  cavity,  and  becomes  adherent 
to,  and  draws  nourishment  from,  some  of  the  abdominal  organs  (womb, 
bowel,  liver,  stomach,  etc.). 

The  symptoms  are  those  of  pregnancy,  which  may  be  suddenly  com- 
plicated by  inflammation  (peritonitis),  owing  to  rupture  of  the  sac  con- 
taining the  fetus;  or  at  full  term  signs  of  calving  appear  but  no  prog- 
ress is  made,  an  examination  with  the  oiled  hand  in  the  vagina  or 
rectum  finds  the  womb  empty  and  its  mouth  closed.  Further  examina- 
tion will  disclose  the  fetal  sac  attached  in  some  part  of  the  abdominal 
cavity,  and  containing'the  more  or  less  perfectly  developed  body  of  a 
calf.  In  the  most  hopeful  cases  the  fetus  perishes  at  an  early  stage  of 
gestation,  becomes  inclosed  in  a  fibrous  sac,  and  is  slowly  absorbed,  its 
soft  parts  becoming  liquefied  and  removed  and  the  bones  remaining 
encysted.  In  some  cases  the  bones  have  finally  sloughed  into  the  rec- 
tum or  through  an  artificial  opening  in  the  side  of  the  belly. 

Little  can  be  done  in  such  cases  except  to  quiet  pain  and  excitement 
by  anodynes  (opium,  chloral,  etc.)  and  leave  the  rest  to  nature.  A 
fistula  discharging  bones  may  be  dilated  and  the  bones  extracted, 
the  sac  being  then  washed  out  with  a  solution  of  10  grains  bichloride 
of  mercury  in  a  quart  of  water.  In  certain  cases  with  a  live  calf 
a  skillful  operator  might  be  justified  in  cutting  into  the  abdomen  and 
extracting  the  calf  with  its  membranes,  using  the  lotion  just  named  as 
an  antiseptic. 

PROLONGED  RETENTION  OF  THE  FETUS. 

Even  when  the  fetus  has  developed  within  the  womb  it  may  fail  to 
be  delivered  at  the  proper  time;  labor  pains  have  quickly  subsided  and 
the  cow  resumed  her  usual  health.  In  such  cases  the  ealf  dies,  and  its 
soft  parts  are  gradually  liquefied  and  absorbed,  while  its  bones  remain 
for  years  in  the  womb  inclosed  in  the  remains  of  the  fetal  membranes. 
These  may  be  expelled  at  any  time  through  the  natural  channels,  or 
they  may  remain  indefinitely  in  the  womb,  not  interfering  with  the  gen- 
eral health,  but  preventing  conception. 

If  the  true  condition  of  things  is  recognized  at  the  time  of  the  sub- 
sidence of  the  labor  pains,  the  mouth  of  the  womb  may  be  dilated  by 
the  fingers,  by  the  insertion  of  sponge  tents,  or  by  a  mechanical  dilator 
(Plate  xx,  Fig.  <>)  the  fetal  membranes  may  be  ruptured  and  the  calf 
extracted.  After  the  removal  of  the  calf  and  its  membranes  the  dan 
ger  of  putrid  ]x>isoning  may  be  obviated  by  injecting  the  antiseptic 
solution  advised  in  the  last  paragraph. 

ABORTION — SLINKING   THE   CALF. 

Technically,  abortion  is  the  term  used  for  the  expulsion  of  the  off- 
spring before  it  can  live  out  of  the  womb.  Its  expulsion  after  it  is 
capable  of  an  independent  existence  is  premature  parturition.  In  the 


186  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

cow  this  may  be  after  seven  and  one-half  months  of  pregnancy.  Earl 
Spencer  failed  to  raise  any  calf  born  before  the  two  hundred  and  forty- 
second  day.  Dairymen  use  the  term  abortion  for  the  expulsion  of  the 
product  of  conception  at  any  time  before  the  completion  of  the  full 
period  of  a  normal  pregnancy,  and  in  this  sense  it  will  be  employed  in 
this  article. 

Abortion  in  cows  is  either  contagious  or  noncontagious.  It  does  not 
follow  that  the  contagiuin  is  the  sole  cause  in  every  case  in  which  it  is 
pi vsent.  We  know  that  the  organized  germs  of  contagion  vary  much 
in  potency  at  different  times,  and  that  the  animal  system  also  varies 
in  susceptibility  to  their  attack.  The  germ  may  therefore  be  present 
in  a  herd  without  any  manifest  injury,  its  disease-producing  power 
having  for  the  time  abated  considerably,  or  the  whole  herd  being  in  a 
condition  of  comparative  insusceptibility.  At  other  times  the  same 
germ  may  have  become  so  virulent  that  almost  all  pregnant  cows  suc- 
cumb to  its  force,  or  the  herd  may  have  been  subjected  to  other  causes 
of  abortion  which,  though  of  themselves  powerless  to  actually  cause 
abortion,  may  yet  so  predispose  the  animals  that  even  the  weaker  germ 
will  operate  with  destructive  effect.  In  dealing  with  this  disease, 
therefore,  it  is  the  part  of  wisdom  not  to  rest  satisfied  with  the  discov- 
ery and  removal  of  one  specific  cause,  but  rather  to  exert  oneself  to  find 
every  existent  cause  and  to  secure  a  remedy  by  correcting  all  the  harin- 
•  ful  conditions. 

CAUSES   OF   KOXCOXTAGIOUS   ADORTIOX. 

As  abortion  most  frequently  occurs  at  those  three  weeks  intervals  at 
which  the  cow  would  have  been  in  heat  if  noupreguant,  we  may  assume 
a  predisposition  at  such  times  due  to  a  periodicity  in  the  nervous  sys- 
tem and  functions.  Poor  condition,  weakness,  and  a  too  watery  state 
of  the  blood  is  often  a  predisposing  cause.  This  in  its  turn  may  result 
from  poor  or  insufficient  food,  from  the  excessive  drain  upon  the  udder 
while  bearing  the  calf,  from  the  use  of  food  deficient  in  certain  essen- 
tial elements,  like  the  nitrogenous  constituents  or  albuminoids,  from 
chronic  wasting  diseases,  from  round  or  tape  worms  in  the  bowels,  from 
flat  worms  (flukes,  trematodes)  in  the  liver,  from  worms  in  the  liver, 
from  worms  in  the  lungs,  from  dark,  damp,  unhealthy  buildings,  etc. 
In  some  such  cases  the  nourishment  is  so  deficient  that  the  fetus  dies 
in  the  womb  and  is  expelled  in  consequence.  Excessive  loss  of  blood, 
attended  as  it  usually  is  by  shock,  becomes  a  direct  cause  of  abortion. 

Acute  inflammations  of  important  organs  are  notorious  causes  of  abor- 
tion, and  in  most  contagious  fevers  (lung  plague,  rinderpest,  foot  and 
mouth  disease)  it  is  a  common  result.  Affections  of  the  chest  which 
prevent  due  aeration  of  the  blood  induce  contractions  of  the  womb,  as 
shown  experimentally  by  Brown-Sequard.  Pregnant  women  suffocated 
in  smoke  aborted  in  many  cases.* 

*  Retcml. 


DISEASES   OP    THE    GENERATIVE   ORGANS.  187 

Chronic  diseases  of  the  abdominal  organs  are  fertile  sources  of  abor- 
tion, especially  those  that  cause  bloating  (tympany  of  the  first  stomach) 
or  diarrhea,  or  the  diseases  of  the  ovaries,  kidneys,  or  bladder.  The 
presence  of  gravel  or  stone  in  the  kidneys,  bladder,  or  urinary  canals, 
is  an  especial  predisposing  or  even  an  exciting  cause,  in  magnesian 
limestone  districts  and  in  winter.  The  presence  of  tubercles  in  the 
ovaries,  the  broad  ligaments  of  the  womb,  and  even  on  the  outer  sur- 
face of  the  womb  itself,  must  be  added  as  efficient  causes. 

Fatty  degeneration  of  the  heart,  a  common  disease  in  old  cows  of 
improved  beef  breeds,  lessens  the  circulation  in  the  placenta  (and  fetus) 
and,  arresting  nutrition,  may  cause  abortion. 

Indigestions  of  all  kinds  are  especially  dangerous,  as  they  are  usually 
associated  with  overdistension  of  the  first  stomach  (paunch)  with  gas. 
As  this  stomach  lies  directly  beneath  and  to  the  left  side  of  the  womb, 
any  disorder,  and  above  all  an  excessive  distension  of  that  organ,  presses 
on  or  affects  the  womb  audits  contents  dangerously.  It  further  causes 
contractions  of  the  womb  by  preventing  aeration  of  the  blood.  Eeuce 
all  that  tends  to  indigestion  is  to  be  carefully  guarded  against.  Priva- 
tion of  water,  which  hinders  rumination  and  digestion;  ice-cold  water, 
which  rouses  the  womb  to  contraction  and  the  calf  to  vigorous  move- 
ment; green,  succulent  grass,  to  which  the  cow  has  been  unaccustomed; 
clover  which  has  just  been  wet  with  a  slight  shower;  all  green  food,  roots, 
potatoes,  apples,  pumpkins  that  are  frozen  or  have  been,  or  that  are 
simply  covered  with  hoar  frost;  food  that  has  been  grown  in  wet  seasons 
or  that  has  been  badly  harvested;  growing  corn,  oats,  etc.,  if  the  ani- 
mal is  unused  to  them;  a  too  dry  food  or  a  too  stimulating  food  (wheat 
bran,  pease,  maize,  and  cotton-seed)  fed  too  lavishly  may,  any  one  of 
them,  induce  abortion.  The  dry  and  stimulating  foods  last  named  bring 
on  constipation  with  straining,  and  also  elevated  temperature  of  the 
body,  which,  in  itself,  endangers  the  life  of  the  fetus. 

Putrid,  stagnant  water  is  hurtful  both  to  digestion  and  the  fetus, 
and  alM>rtions  in  cows  have  been  repeatedly  traced  to  this  source  and 
have  ceased  when  pure  water  was  supplied.  Ergoted  grasses  have  long 
been  known  as  a  cause  of  widespread  abortions  in  rows.  The  ergot  is 
familiar  as  the  dark  purple  or  black,  hard,  spur  like  growths  which  pro- 
trude from  the,  seeds  of  the  grasses  at  the  period  of  tlieirripening.  (Plate 
V.)  It  is  especially  common  in  damp,  cloudy  seasons  and  localities,  on 
meadows  shaded  by  trees  and  protected  against  the  free  sweep  of  the 
winds.  The  same  is  to  a  large  extent  true  of  smut.  Hence,  wet  years 
have  been  often  remarkable  for  the  great  prevalence  of  abortions. 
Abortions  have  greatly  increased  in  New  Zealand  among  cows  since 
the  introduction  of  rye  grass,  which  is  specially  subject  to  ergot. 
As  abortion  is  more  prevalent  in  old  dairying  districts  the  ergot  may 
not  be  the  sole  cause  in  this  instance. 

The  smut  of  maize,  wheat,  bailey,  and  oats  is  fostered  by  similar 
conditions  and  is  often  equally  injurious.  It  should  be  added  that  the 


188  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ergots  and  smuts  of  certain  years  are  far  more  injurious  than  those  of 
others.  This  may  be  attributed  to  the  fact  that  they  have  grown  under 
different  conditions,  and  therefore  have  developed  somewhat  different 
properties,  a  habit  of  fungi  which  has  been  often  observed;  or  that  in 
certain  seasons  the  cows  have  been  more  powerfully  predisposed  by 
other  operative  causes  of  abortion. 

Both  ergot  and  sinut  vary  in  potency  according  to  the  stage  of  growth. 
Dr.  Kluge  found  that  the  ergot  gathered  before  the  grain  had  fully 
ripened  was  much  more  powerful  than  that  from  the  fully  ripened 
grain.  McGugen  found  the  ergot  of  wheat  more  potent  than  that  of 
rye.  It  should  be  added  that  both  ergot  and  smut  are  robbed  some- 
what of  their  deleterious  properties  if  fed  with  an  abundance  of  water, 
so  that  it  may  prove  harmless  if  fed  with  roots,  ensilage,  etc.,  whereas 
it  will  prove  hurtful  when  fed  in  the  same  amount  with  dry  hay.  It  is 
also  more  liable  to  injure  if  fed  for  a  long  time  in  succession  in  winter, 
though  it  may  be  in  smaller  quantity. 

Eust  is  also  charged  with  causing  abortions.*  That  other  cryptograms 
found  in  musty  fodder  are  productive  of  abortion  has  been  well  estab- 
lished. In  Germany  and  France  the  wet  years  of  1851,  1852,  and  1853 
were  notorious  for  the  prevalence  of  abortions.*  Fodders  harvested  in 
such  seasons  are  always  more  or  less  musty,  and  musty  hay  and  grain 
have  been  long  recognized  as  a  prolific  cause  of  digestive,  urinary,  and 
cerebral  disorders.  Impactions  and  bloatings  of  the  stomachs,  exces- 
sive secretion  of  urine  (diuresis)  and  red-water  are  common  results  of 
such  musty  fodder,  and  we  have  already  seen  that  such  disorders  of 
the  digestive  and  urinary  organs  are  very  liable  to  affect  the  pregnant 
womb  and  induce  abortion. 

The  riding  one  another  by  cows  is  attended  by  such  severe  muscular 
exertion,  jars,  jolts,  mental  excitement,  and  gravitation  of  the  womb 
and  abdominal  organs  backward  that  it  may  easily  cause  abortion  in  a 
predisposed  animal. 

Keeping  in  stalls  that  slope  too  much  behind  (over.  2  inches)  acts  in 
the  same  way,  the  compression  due  to  lying  and  the  gravitation  back- 
ward proving  more  than  a  predisposed  cow  can  safely  bear. 

Deep  gutters  behind  the  stalls,  into  which  one  or  both  hind  limbs 
slip  unexpectedly,  strain  the  loins  and  jar  the  body  and  womb  most 
injuriously.  Slippery  stalls  in  which  the  flooring  boards  are  laid  longi- 
tudinally in  place  of  transversely,  and  on  which  no  cleats  nor  other 
device  is  adopted  to  giye  a  firm  foothold,  are  almost  equally  dangerous. 
Driving  on  icy  ground,  or  through  a  narrow  doorway  where  the  abdo- 
men is  liable  to  be  jammed,  are  other  common  causes.  Offensive  odors 
undoubtedly  cause  abortion.  To  understand  this  one  must  take  into 
account  the  preternaturally  acute  sense  of  smell  possessed  by  cattle. 
By  this  sense  the  bull  instantly  recognizes  the  pregnant  cow  and 
refrains  from  disturbing  her,  while  man,  with  all  his  boasted  skill  and 

*  Gerlach.  Haselbacb.  t  Baumeister,  Rueft",  Rondaud,  Trelut. 


DISEASES   OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  189 

precise  methods  ftnds  it  difficult  to  come  to  a  just  conclusion.  The 
emanations  from  a  cow  in  heat,  however,  will  instantly  draw  the  bull 
from  a  long  distance.  Carrion  in  the  pasture  fields  or  about  slaughter- 
houses near  by,  the  emanations  from  shallow  graves,  dead  rats. or 
chickens  about  the  barns,  and  dead  calves,  the  product  of  prior  abor- 
tions, are  often  chargeable  with  the  maintenance  of  abortions.  Abort- 
ing cows  often  fail  to  expel  the  afterbirth,  and  if  this  remains  hanging 
in  a  putrid  condition  it  is  most  injurious  to  pregnant  cows  in  the  near 
vicinity.  So  with  retained  afterbirth  in  other  cows  after  calving. 
That  some  cows  kept  in  filthy  stables  or  near  by  slaughterhouses  may 
become  inured  to  the  odors  and  escape  the  evil  results  is  no  disproof  of 
the  injurious  effects  so  often  seen  in  such  cases. 

The  excitement,  jarring,  and  jolting  of  a  railroad  journey  will  often 
cause  abortion ,  especially  as  the  cow  nears  the  period  of  calving,  and 
the  terror  or  injury  of  railway  or  other  accidents  prove  incomparably 
worse. 

All  irritant  poisons  cause  abortions  by  the  disorder  and  inflammation 
of  the  digestive  organs,  and  if  such  agents  act  also  on  the  kidneys  or 
womb  the  effect  is  materially  enhanced.  Powerful  purgatives  or  diu- 
retics should  never  be  administered  to  the  pregnant  cow. 

During  pregnancy  the  contact  of  the  expanding  womb  with  the 
paunch,  just  beneath  it,  and  its  further  intimate  connection  through 
nervous  sympathy  with  the  whole  digestive  system,  leads  to  various 
functional  disorders  and  especially  to  a  morbid  craving  for  unnatural 
objects  of  food.  In  the  cow  this  is  shown  in  the  chewing  of  bones, 
pieces  of  wood,  iron  bolts,  articles  of  clothing,  lumps  of  hardened  paint, 
etc.  An  unsatisfied  craving  of  this  kind,  producing  constant  excite- 
ment of  the  nervous  system,  will  strongly  conduce  to  abortion.  How 
much  more  so  if  the  food  is  lacking  in  the  mineral  matter  and  especially 
the  phosphates  necessary  for  the  building  up  of  the  body  of  both  dam 
and  offspring,  to  say  nothing  of  that  drained  off  in  every  milking. 
This  state  of  things  is  present  in  many  old  dairy  farms,  from  which  the 
mineral  matters  of  the  surface  soil  have  been  sold  off  in  the  milk  or 
cheese  for  generations  and  no  return  has  been  made  in  food  or  manure 
purchased.  Here  is  the  craving  of  an  imperative  need,  and  if  it  is  not 
supplied  the  health  of  the  cow  suffers  and  the  life  of  the  fetus  may  be 
sacrificed. 

Among  other  causes  of  abortion  must  be  named  the  death  or  the 
various  illnesses  of  the  fetus,  which  are  about  as  numerous  as  those  of 
the  adult;  the  slipping  of  a  young  fetus  through  a  loop  in  the  navel 
string  so  as  to  tie  a  knot  which  will  tighten  later  and  interrupt  the 
flow  of  blood  with  fatal  effect;  and  the  twisting  of  the  navel  string  by 
the  turning  of  the  fetus  until  little  or  no  blood  can  flow  through  the 
contorted  cord.  There  is  in  addition  a  series  of  diseases  of  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  womb,  and  of  the  fetal  membranes  (inflammation, 
effusion  of  blood,  detachment  of  the  membranes  from  the  womb,  fatty 


190  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

or  other  degenerations,  etc.),  which  interfere  with  the  supply  of  blood 
to  the  fetus  or  change  its  quality  so  that  death  is  the  natural  result, 
followed  by  abortion. 

CONTAGIOUS   ABOKTIOX — ITS   CAUSK. 

While  any  one  of  the  above  conditions  may  concur  with  the  conta- 
gious principle  in  precipitating  an  epizootic  of  abortion,  yet  it  is  only 
by  reason  of  the  contagium  that  the  disease  can  be  indefinitely  perpct 
uated  and  transferred  from  herd  to  herd.  When  an  aborting  cow  is 
placed  in  a  herd  that  has  hitherto  been  healthy,  and  shortly  afterwards 
miscarriage  becomes  prevalent  in  that  herd  and  continues  year  after 
year,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  all  the  other  conditions  of  life  in  that  herd 
remain  the  same  as  before,  it  is  manifest  that  the  result  is  due  to  con- 
tagion. When  a  bull,  living  in  a  healthy  herd,  has  been  allowed  to 
serve  an  aborting  cow,  or  a  cow  from  an  aborting  herd,  and  when  the 
members  of  his  own  herd,  subsequently  served  by  him  abort  in  consid- 
erable numbers,  contagion  may  be  safely  inferred.  Mere  living  in  the 
same  pasture  or  building  does  not  convey  the  infection.  Cows  brought 
into  the  aborting  herd  in  advanced  pregnancy  carry  their  calves  to  the 
full  time.  But  cows  served  by  the  infected  bull,  or  that  have  had  the 
infection  conveyed  by  the  tongue  or  tail  of  other  animals,  or  by  their 
own,  or  that  have  had  the  external  genitals  brought  in  contact  with 
wall,  fence,  rubbing  post,  litter,  or  floor  previously  soiled  by  the  infected 
animals,  will  be  liable  to  suffer.  The  Scottish  abortion  committee  found 
that  when  healthy,  pregnant  cows  merely  stood  with  or  near  aborting 
cows  they  escaped,  but  when  a  piece  of  cotton  wool  lodged  for  twenty 
minutes  in  the  vagina  of  the  aborting  cow  was  afterwards  inserted  into 
the  vagina  of  a  healthy,  pregnant  cow  or  sheep,  the  latter  invariably 
aborted  within  a  month.  So  Roloff  relates  that  in  two  large  stables  at 
Erfurt,  without  any  direct  intercommunication,  but  filled  with  cows  fed 
and  managed  in  precisely  the  same  way,  abortion  prevailed  for  years  in 
the  one,  while  not  a  single  case  occurred  in  the  oth^er.  Galtier  finds 
that  the  virus  from  the  aborting  cow  causes  abortions  in  the  sow,  ewe, 
goat,  rabbit,  and  guinea-pig ;  and  that  if  it  has  been  intensified  by 
passing  through  either  of  the  two  last-named  animals,  it  will  affect 
also  the  mare,  bitch,  and  cat. 

The  precise  germs  or  germ  causing  abortion  have  not  yet  been  demon- 
strated beyond  question.  Twenty  years  ago  Franck,  of  Munich,  drew 
attention  to  a  chain  form  of  cells  (Leptotlirix  vaginalis)  as  the  efficient 
raiise.  The  Scottish  Commission  have  isolated  in  gelatin  cultures  five 
different  bacteria  obtained  from  the  vaginal  mucus  of  the  aborting  cow, 
arnl  Nocard,  of  Alfort,  speaks  of  a  germ  existing  abundantly  between 
the  womb  and  fetal  membranes  of  aborting  cows  which  was  never  found 
in  the  healthy. 

Symptoms  of  abortion.— In  the  first  two  or  three  months  of  pregnancy 
no  symptoms  may  have  been  observed,  and  unless  the  aborted  product 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  191 

is  seen  the  fact  of  abortion  may  escape  notice.  Some  soiling  of  the  tail 
with  mucus,  blood,  and  the  waters  may  be  observed,  or  the  udder  may 
show  extra  firmness,  and  in  the  virgin  heifer  or  dry  cow  the  presence  of 
a  few  drops  of  milk  may  be  suggestive,  or  the  fetus  and  its  membranes 
may  be  found  in  the  gutter  or  elsewhere  as  a  mere  clot  of  blood  or  as  a 
membraneous  ball  in  which  the  forming  body  of  the  fetus  is  found.  In 
water  the  villi  of  the  outer  membrane  (chorion,  Plate  xn)  float  out, 
giving  it  a  characteristically  shaggy  appearance. 

In  advanced  pregnancy  abortion  is  largely  the  counterpart  of  parturi- 
tion, so  that  a  special  description  is  superfluous.  The  important  thing 
is  to  distinguish  the  early  symptoms  from  those  of  other  diseases,  so 
that  the  tendency  may  b.e  arrested  and  the  animal  carried  to  full ,  time 
if  possible.  A  cow  is  dull,  sluggish,  separate  from  the  herd,  chewing 
the  cud  languidly,  or  there  may  be  frequent  lying  down  and  rising, 
uneasy  movements  of  the  hind  feet  or  of  the  tail,  and  slightly  acceler- 
ated pulse  and  breathing,  and  dry  muzzle.  The  important  thing  is  not 
to  confound  it  with  digestive  or  urinary  disorder,  but  in  a  pregnant  cow 
to  examine  at  once  for  any  increase  of  mucus  in  the  vagina,  or  for  blood 
or  liquid  there  or  on  the  root  of  the  tail;  for  any  enlargement,  firmness, 
or  tenderness  of  the  udder,  or  in  dry  cows  milk,  and  above  all  for  any 
slight  straining  suggestive  of  labor  pains. 

In  many  cases  the  membranes  arc  discharged  with  the  fetus;  in  oth- 
ers, in  advanced  pregnancy,  they  fail  to  come  away,  and  remain  hang- 
ing from  the  vulva,  putrefying  and  falling  piecemeal — finally  resulting 
in  a  fetid  discharge  from  the  womb.  According  to  the  size  of  the  herd 
contagious  abortions  will  follow  one  another  at  intervals  of  one  to  four 
or  more  weeks,  in  the  order  of  their  infection  or  of  the  recurrence  of  the 
period  of  activity  of  the  womb  which  corresponds  to  the  occurrence  of 
heat. 

Prevention. — Weakness  and  bloodlessness  are  to  be  obviated  by  gen- 
erous feeding,  and  especially  in  aliments  (wheat  bran,  rape  cake,  cotton 
seed,  oats,  barley,  Jt>eans,  pease,  etc.^,  rich  in  earthy  salts,  which  will 
also  serve  to  correct  the  morbid  appetite.  This  will  also  regenerate  the 
exhausted  soil  if  the  manure  is  returned  to  it.  In  the  same  way  the 
application  of  ground  bones  or  phosphates  will  correct  the  evil,  acting 
in  this  case  through  the  soil  first  and  raising  better  food  for  the  stock. 
The  ravages  of  worms  arc  to  be  obviated  by  avoiding  infested  pastures, 
ponds,  streams,  shallow  wells  or  those  receiving  any  surface  leakage 
from  land  where  stock  go,  and  by  feeding  salt  at  will,  as  this  agent  is 
destructive  to  most  young  worms. 

The  tendency  to  urinary  calculi  in  winter  is  avoided  by  a  succulent 
diet  (ensilage,  steamed  food,  roots,  pumpkins,  apples,  potatoes,  slops), 
and  by  the  avoidance  of  the  special  causes  named  under  (I ravel.  (See 
p.  153).  Furnishing  water  inside  the  barn  in  winter  in  place  of  driv- 
ing once  a  day  to  take  their  fill  of  ice-cold  liquid  will  obviate  a  common 
evil.  Putrid  and  stagnant  \vatcr  arc  to  bo  avoided.  Sudden  changes 


192  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

of  food  are  always  reprehensible,  but  much  more  so  in  the  pregnant 
animal.  Let  the  change  be  gradual.  So  with  what  is  spoiled  or 
unwholesome. 

In  case  of  prevalence  of  ergot  in  a  pasture  it  should  be  kept  eaten 
down,  or  cut  down  with  a  mower,  so  that  no  portion  runs  to  seed.  (See 
Plate  v.)  In  case  of  a  meadow  the  grass  must  be  cut  early  before 
the  seeds  have  filled.  The  most  dangerous  time  appears  to  be  between 
the  formation  of  the  milky  seed  and  the  full  ripening.  Yet  the  ergot 
is  larger  in  proportion  to  the  ripeness,  so  that  the  loss  of  potency  is 
made  up  in  quantity.  The  ripe  seed  and  ergot  may  be  removed  by 
threshing  and  the  hay  safely  fed.  It  may  also  be  noted  that  both 
ergot  and  smut  may  be  safely  fed  in  moderate  quantity,  provided  it  is 
used  with  succulent  food  (ensilage,  roots,  etc.)  or  with  free  access  to 
water,  and  salt  is  an  excellent  accessory  as  encouraging  the  animal  to 
drink.  Both  ergot  and  smut  are  most  injurious  in  winter  when  the 
water  supply  is  frozen  up  or  accessible  only  at  long  intervals.  The 
ergoted  seed  when  threshed  out  can  not  be  safely  sown,  but  if  first 
boiled  it  may  be  fed  in  small  amount  or  turned  into  manure.  The 
growth  of  both  ergot  and  smut  may  be  to  a  large  extent  prevented  by 
the  time  honored  Scotch  practice  of  sprinkling  the  seed  with  a  satu- 
rated solution  of  sulphate  of  copper  before  sowing. 

Fields  badly  affected  with  ergot  or  smut  may  be  practically  renewed 
by  plowing  up  and  cultivating,  for  a  series  of  years  under  crops  (turnips, 
beets,  potatoes,  buckwheat,  etc.),  which  do  not  harbor  the  fungus,  and 
which  require  much  cultivation  and  exposure  of  the  soil.  Drainage 
and  the  removal  of  all  unnecessary  barriers  to  the  free  action  of  sun- 
shine and  wind  are  important  provisions. 

Other  precautions  concerning  separation  from  cows  in  heat,  a  proper 
construction  of  stalls,  the  avoidance  of  carrion  and  other  offensive 
odors,  protection  from  all  kinds  of  mechanical  injuries,  including  over- 
driving and  carrying  by  rail  in  advanced  pregnancy,  the  exclusion  of 
all  irritants,  or  strong  purgatives  and  diuretics  from  food  or  medicine, 
and  the  guarding  against  all  causes  of  indigestion  and  bloating  have 
been  sufficiently  indicated  under  Causes.  For  protection  of  the  womb 
and  fetus  against  the  various  causes  of  disease  available  methods  are 
not  so  evident.  For  cows  that  have  aborted  in  the  last  pregnancy 
chlorate  of  potash,  3  drams  daily  before  the  recurrence  of  the  expected 
abortion,  is  often  useful.  Prevention  of  contagious  abortion  will  nat- 
urally come  with  the  treatment. 

Treatment  of  non-contagious  abortion. — Although  the  first  symptoms 
of  abortion  have  appeared  it  does  not  follow  that  it  will  go  on  to  com- 
pletion. So  long  as  the  fetus  has  not  perished,  if  the  waters  have  not 
been  discharged,  nor  the  water-bags  presented,  attempts  should  be 
made  to  check  its  progress.  Every  appreciable  and  removable  cause 
should  be  done  a^ay  with,  the  cow  should  be  placed  in  a  quiet  stall 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  193 

alone,  and  agents  given  to  cheek  the  excitement  of  the  labor  pains. 
Laudanum  in  doses  of  1  ounce  for  a  small  cow  or  2  ounces  for  a  large 
one  should  be  promptly  administered  and  repeated  in  three  or  four 
hours,  should  the  labor  pains  recur.  This  may  be  kept  up  for  days  or 
even  weeks  if  necessary,  though  that  is  rarely  required,  as  the  trouble 
either  subsides  or  abortion  occurs.  If  the  laudanum  seems  to  lack  per- 
manency of  action  use  bromide  of  potassium,  or  better,  extract  of  vibur- 
num pruuifolium  (40  grains)  at  intervals  of  two  or  three  hours  until 
five  or  six  doses  have  been  given. 

Treatment  of  contagious  abortion. — So  far  as  this  differs  from  the  treat- 
ment of  sporadic  abortion,  it  consists  in  the  free  use  of  germicides  or 
disinfectants. 

(1)  Scrape  and  wash  the  ba<jk  part  of  the  stall  and  gutter  and  water 
it  with  a  solution  of  5  ounces  sulphate  of  copper  (bluestone)  in  1  gallon 
pure  water.    Kepeat  this  cleaning  and  watering  at  least  once  a  week. 
This  should  in  all  cases  be  applied  to  every  stall  where  an  aborting  cow 
has  stood  and  to  those  adjacent.    To  treat  the  whole  in  the  same  way 
would  be  even  better,  as  it  is  impossible  to  say  how  many  of  the  cows 
harbor  the  germ.    This  is  the  more  needful  that  in  three  or  four  years, 
if  the  aborting  cow  is  kept  on,  she  becomes  insusceptible  and  carries 
her  calf  to  full  time.    A  cow  may  therefore  be  infecting  to  others  though 
she  no  longer  aborts  herself. 

(2)  Dissolve  1  dram  corrosive  sublimate,  1  ounce  each  of  alcohol  and 
glycerine,  and  shake  this  up  in  a  gallon  of  water,  to  use  as  an  injection 
into  the  vagina  and  a  wash  for  the  parts  about  the  vulva  and  root  of 
the  tail.     Being  very  poisonous,  it  should  be  kept  in  a  wooden  barrel 
out  of  the  way  of  animals  or  children.    Every  morning  the  vulva,  anus, 
back  of  the  hips,  and  root  of  the  tail  should  be  soonged  with  this  liquid, 
and  this  is  best  applied  to  the  whole  herd. 

(3)  When  any  case  of  abortion  has  occurred  the  fetal  membranes  must 
be  removed  by  the  hand  without  delay,  and  together  with  the  fetus 
destroyed  by  burning,  or  boiling,  or  buried  deeply,  and  the  stall  should 
be  cleansed  and  watered  freely  with  the  copper  solution.     Then  the 
womb  should  be  washed  out  with  1  £  gallons  of  the  corrosive  sublimate 
solution  injected  through  a  rubber  tube  introduced  to  the  depth  of  the 
womb  and  witli  a  funnel  in  its  outer  elevated  end.     This  should  be 
repeated  daily  for  a  week.     In  the  case  of  the  other  cows  of  the  herd 
one  injection  of  the  same  kind  should  be  made  into  the  vagina,  after 
which  they  need  only  have  their  external  parts  and  tail  washed  with 
the  solution  daily. 

AH  a  certain  number  of  the  cows  will  harbor  the  germ  in  the  womb 
when  treatment  is  started,  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  abortions  will 
cease  at  once,  but  by  keeping  up  the  treatment  the  trouble  may  be  got 
quit  of  in  the  following  year.  As  an  al>orting  row  is  usually  of  little 
use  for  the  dairy,  it  is  bc«t  to  separate  and  fatten  her  and  apply  treat- 
13 


i      i  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

nifut  to  those  that  remain.  In  this,  as  in  other  delicate  manipulations, 
the  stockowner  will  consult  his  own  interest  by  employing  an  accom- 
plished veterinarian,  and  avoiding  such  as  have  not  had  the  privileges 
of  a  thorough  professional  education.  In  addition  to  the  above  the 
removal  of  all  manure  and  contaminated  litter  and  the  sprinkling  of 
the  surface  with  the  sulphate  of  the  copper  solution  is  called  for.  Drains 
should  no  less  be  thoroughly  rinsed  and  disinfected.  Milking  stools 
and  other  implements  may  be  treated  in  the  same  way,  or  with  carbolic 
acid  or  boiling  water.  Great  care  should  be  taken  to  guard  against 
bull  or  cows  from  an  aborting  herd  or  district;  streams  even  may  be 
suspected  if  there  is  an  aborting  herd  near  by  and  higher  up  on  that 
stream.  Cows  sent  to  bull  from  an  aborting  herd  are  to  be  denied,  and 
workmen  that  have  attended  on  such  a  herd  should  be  made  to  wash 
and  disinfect  their  clothes  and  persons. 

SYMPTOMS   OF  CALVING. 

Iii  the  cow  the  premonitions  of  calving  are  the  enlargement  of  the 
udder,  which  becomes  firm  and  resistant  to  the  touch,  with  more  or 
less  swelling  in  front,  and  yields  a  serous  milky  fluid ;  the  enlargement 
and  swelling  of  the  vulva,  which  discharges  an  abundant  stringy  mucus  5 
the  drooping  of  the  belly,  and  the  falling  in  of  the  muscles  at  each 
side  of  the  root  of  the  tail,  so  as  to  leave  deep  hollows.  When  this  last 
symptom  is  seen  calving  may  be  counted  on  in  twenty-four  hours  or  in 
two  or  three  days.  When  the  act  is  imminent,  the  cow  becomes  uneasy, 
moves  restlessly,  leaves  oif  eating,  in  the  field  leaves  the  herd,  lies  down 
and  rises  again  as  if  in  pain,  shifts  upon  her  hind  feet,  moves  the  tail, 
and  may  bellow  or  moan.  When  labor  pains  come  on  the  back  is 
arched,  the  croup  drooped,  the  belly  is  drawn  up,  and  straining  is  more 
or  less  violent  and  continuous.  Meanwhile  blood  may  have  appeared 
on  the  vulva  and  tail,  and  soon  the  clear  water-bags  protrude  between 
the  lips  of  the  vulva.  They  increase  rapidly,  hanging  down  toward 
the  hocks,  and  the  fore  or  hind  feet  can  be  detected  within  them.  With 
the  rupture  of  the  bags  and  escape  of  the  wTaters  the  womb  contracts 
on  the  solid  angular  body  of  the  fetus,  and  is  at  once  stimulated  to 
more  violent  contractions,  so  that  the  work  proceeds  with  redoubled 
energy  to  the  complete  expulsion.  This  is  the  reason  why  it  is  wrong 
to  rupture  the  water-bags  if  the  presentation  is  normal,  as  they  furnish 
a  soft  uniform  pressure  for  the  preliminary  dilatation  of  the  mouth  of 
the  womb  and  passages,  in  anticipation  of  the  severe  strain  put  upon 
them  as  the  solid  body  of  the  calf  passes. 

The  cow  often  calves  standing,  in  which  case  the  navel-string  is 
broken  as  the  calf  falls  to  the  ground.  If,  however,  she  is  recumbent 
this  cord  is  torn  through  as  she  rises  up.  The  after  pains  come  on  three 
or  four  hours  later  and  expel  the  membranes,  and  these  should  never 
be  left  longer  than  twenty-four  hours. 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  195 

NATURAL   PRESENTATION. 

When  there  is  but  one  calf  the  natural  presentation  is  that  of  the 
fore  feet  with  the  front  of  the  hoofs  and  knees  turned  upward  toward 
the  tail  of  the  dam  and  the  nose  lying  between  the  knees.  (Plate  xv.) 
If  there  are  twins  the  natural  position  of  the  second  is  that  of  the  hind 
feet,  the  heels  and  hocks  turned  upward  toward  the  cow's  tail.  (Plate 
xvin,  Fig.  1.)  In  both  of  these  natural  positions  the  curvature  of  the 
body  of  the  calf — the  back  arched  upward — is  the  same  with  the  curva- 
ture of  the  passages,  which  descend  anteriorly  into  the  womb,  ascend 
over  the  brim  of  the  pelvis,  and  descend  again  toward  the  external 
opening'  (vulva).  Any  presentation  different  from  the  above  is  abnor- 
mal. 

OBSTACLES   TO  PARTURITION. 

With  a  well-formed  cow  and  calf  and  a  natural  presentation  as  above, 
calving  is  usually  prompt  and  easy.  Obstacles  may, however,  come  from 
failure  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb  to  dilate;  from  twisting  of  the  neck  of 
the  womb ;  from  tumors  in  the  vagina ;  from  dropsy  in  the  womb  or  ab- 
domen; from  overdistension  of  the  rectum  or  bladder;  from  undue 
narrowing  of  the  passages;  from  excess  of  fat  in  the  walls  of  the  pel- 
vis; from  the  disturbance  of  a  nervous  cow  by  noises;  from  stone  or 
urine  in  the  bladder;  from  wrong  presentation  of  the  calf,  its  back  be 
ing  turned  downward  or  to  one  side  in  place  of  upward  toward  the 
spine  of  the  dam;  from  the  bending  backward  into  the  body  of  the 
womb  of  one  or  more  limbs  or  of  the  head;  from  presentation  of  the 
back,  shoulder,  or  croup,  all  four  limbs  being  turned  back;  from  pre- 
sentation of  all  four  feet  at  once;  from  obstruction  caused  by  an  extra 
head  or  extra  limbs,  or  double  body  on  the  part  of  the  offspring  (Plate 
xix);  from  dropsy  or  other  disease  of  the  calf;  from  excessive  or  im- 
l>erfect  development  of  the  calf;  from  the  impaction  of  twins  at  the 
same  time  into  the  passages;  or  it  may  be  at  times  from  the  mere 
excessive  volume  of  the  fetus. 

-     GENERAL   MAXIMS  FOR  THE   ASSISTANT    IX   DIFFICULT   PARTURITION. 

Do  not  interfere  too  soon.  u  Meddlesome  midwifery  is  bad"  with 
animals  as  with  women.  After  labor  pains  set  in,  give  a  reasonable 
time  for  the  water-bags  to  protrude  and  burst  spontaneously,  and  only 
interfere  when  delay  suggests  some  mechanical  obstruction.  If  there 
is  no  mechanical  obstruction  let  the  calf  be  exiled  slowly  by  the 
unaided  efforts  of  the  cow.  Ilrnises  and  lacerations  of  the  passages 
and  flooding  from  the  uneontracteo!  womb  may  come  from  the  too 
speedy  extraction  of  the  calf.  When  assistance  is  necessary,  the  oper- 
ator should  dress  in  a  thick  flannel  Hhirt  from  which  the  sleeves  have 
been  cut  oft'  clear  up  to  the  shoulder*.  This  avoids  danger  of  exjMisure, 
and  yet  leaves  the.  whole  arm  free  and  nntrammeled.  Hefor.e  inserting 
the  hand,  it  ami  the  arm  should  be  smeared  witli  oil.  lard,  <•:•  vaseline, 


196  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

care  being  taken  that  the  oil  or  lard  is  fresh,  neither  salted  nor  rancid, 
and  that  it  has  been  purified  by  boiling  or  rendered  antiseptic  by  the 
addition  of  a  teaspoonful  of  carbolic  acid  to  the  pound.  This  is  a  valu- 
able precaution  against  infecting  the  cow  by  introducing  putrid  fer- 
ments into  the  passages,  and  against  poisoning  of  the  arm  by  decom- 
posing discharges  in  case  the  calving  is  unduly  protracted.  When 
labor  pains  have  lasted  some  time  without  any  signs  of  the  water  bags, 
the  dropping  in  at  the  sides  of  the  rump,  and  the  other  preparations  for 
calving  being  accomplished,  the  hand  should  be  introduced  to  examine. 
When  the  water-bags  have  burst  and  neither  feet  nor  head  appear  for 
some  time,  examination  should  be  made.  When  one  fore  foot  only  and 
the  head  appears,  or  both  fore  feet  without  the  head,  or  the  head  with- 
out the  fore  feet,  examine.  If  one  hind  foot  appears  without  the  other, 
make  examination.  The  presenting  limb  or  head  should  be  secured  by 
a  rope  with  a  running  noose,  so  that  it  may  not  pass  back  into  the 
womb  and  get  lost  during  the  subsequent  manipulations,  but  may  be 
retained  in  the  vagina  or  brought  up  again  easily.  In  searching  for  a 
missing  member,  it  is  usually  better  to  turn  the  head  of  the  cow  down 
hill,  so  that  the  gravitation  of  the  fetus  and  abdominal  organs  forward 
into  the  belly  of  the  cow  may  give  more  room  in  which  to  bring  up  the 
missing  limb  or  head.  If  the  cow  is  lying  down  turn  her  on  the  side 
opposite  to  that  on  which  the  limb  is  missing,  so  that  there  may  be 
more  room  for  bringing  the  latter  up.  Even  if  a  missing  limb  is  reached 
it  is  vain  to  attempt  to  bring  it  up  during  a  labor  pain.  Wait  until  the 
pain  has  ceased,  and  attempt  to  straighten  on  the  limb  before  the  next 
pain  comes  on.  If  the  pains  are  violent  and  continuous  they  may  be/ 
checked  by  pinching  the  back  or  by  putting  a  tight  surcingle  round 
the  body  in  front  of  the  udder.  These  failing,  1  ounce  or  1£  ounces  of 
chloral  hydrate  in  a  quart  of  water  may  be  given  to  check  the  pains. 
If  the  passages  have  dried  up  or  lost  their  natural  lubricating  liquid, 
smear  the  interior  of  the  passages  and  womb,  and  the  surface  of  the 
calf  as  far  as  it  can  be  reached,  with  pure  fresh  lard  5  or  pure  sweet  oil 
may  be  run  into  the  womb  through  a  rubber  tube  (fountain  syringe). 
In  dragging  up  the  fetus  apply  strong  traction  only  while  the  mother 
is  straining,  and  drag  downward  toward  the  hocks  as  well  as  back- 
ward. You  thus  follow  the  natural  curvature  of  both  fetus  and  pas- 
sages, and  render  the  extraction  easier. 

LABOR   PAINS   BEFORE   RELAXATION   OF   THE   PASSAGES. 

Any  of  the  various  causes  of  abortion  may  bring  on  labor  pains 
before  the  time.  Straining  conies  on  days  or  weeks  before  the  time, 
and  there  is  not  the  usual  enlargement,  swelling  and  mucous  discharge 
from  the  vulva.  There  is  little  or  no  falling  in  by  the  sides  of  the  root 
of  the  tail  5  the  abdomen  has  not  dropped  to  the  usual  extent,  and  the 
udder  is  less  developed  and  yields  little  or  no  milk.  In  spite  of  the 
pains  no  water  bags  appear,  and  the  oiled  hand  cautiously  introduced 


DISEASES   OP    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  197 

into  the  vagina  finds  the  neck  of  the  womb  firmly  closed,  rigid,  and 
undilatable.  If  it  is  known  that  the  cow  has  not  reached  her  proper 
time  of  calving,  the  examination  through  the  vagina  should  be  omitted 
and  the  animal  should  be  placed  in  a  dark,  quiet  place  by  herself,  and 
be  given  1  to  2  ounces  laudanum.  Viburnum  prunifoliuin,  1  ounce,  may 
be  added,  if  necessary,  and  repeated  in  three  hours.  The  pains  will 
usually  subside. 

In  some  instances  the  external  parts  are  relaxed  and  duly  prepared, 
but  the  neck  of  the  womb  remains  rigidly  closed.  In  such  a  case  the 
solid  extract  of  belladonna  should  be  smeared  around  the  constricted 
opening  and  the  animal  left  quiet  until  it  relaxes. 

DISEASED    INDURATION   OF    THE   MOUTH   OF    THE   WOMB. 

From  previous  lacerations  or  other  injuries  the  neck  of  the  womb  may 
have  become  the  seat  of  fibrous  hardening  and  constriction,  so  as  to 
prevent  its  dilatation  when  all  other  parts  are  fully  prepared  for  calv- 
ing. The  enlarged,  flabby  vulva,  the  sinking  at  each  side  of  the  rump, 
the  full  udder  and  drooping  abdomen  indicate  the  proper  time  for  calv- 
ing, but  the  labor  pains  secure  no  progress  in  the  dilatation  of  the  mouth 
of  the  womb,  and  the  oiled  hand  introduced  detects  the  rigid,  hard,  and, 
in  some  cases,  nodular  feeling  of  the  margins  of  the  closed  orifice,  which 
no  application  of  belladonna  or  other  antispasinodie  suffices  to  relax. 
Sponge  tents  may  be  inserted  or  the  mechanical  dilator  (Plate  xx.  Fig. 
6)  may  be  used  if  there  is  opening  enough  to  admit  it,  and  if  not  a 
narrow-bladed  probe- pointed  knife  (Plate  xxiv,  Fig.  2)  may  be  passed 
through  the  orifice  and  turned  upward,  downward,  and  to  each  side,  cut- 
ting to  a  depth  not  exceeding  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  each  case.  This 
done  a  finger  may  be  inserted,  then  two,  three,  and  four,  and  finally  all 
four  fingers  and  thumb  brought  together  in  the  form  of  a  (;one  and  made 
to  push  in  with  rotary  motion  until  the  whole  hand  can  be  introduced. 
After  this  the  labor  pains  will  induce  further  dilatation,  and  finally  the 
presenting  members  of  the  calf  will  complete  the  process. 

TWISTING    OF   TIIK    NECK    <»F    THE   AVoMH. 

This  is  not  very  uncommon  in  the  cow,  the  length  of  the  body  of  the 
womb  and  the  looseness  of  the  broad  ligaments  that  attach  it  to  the 
walls  of  the  pelvis  favoring  the  twisting.  It  is  as  if  one  were  to  take 
a  long  sack  rather  loosely  filled  at  the  neck  and  turn  over  its  closed 
end  so  that  its  twisting  should  occur  in  the  neck.  The  twist  may  be 
one-quarter  round,  so  that  the  upper  surface,  would  come  to  look  to  one 
side,  or  it  may  be  half  round,  so  that  what  was  the  upper  surface 
becomes  the  lower.  The  relation  of  the  womb  of  the  cow  to  the  upper 
and  right  side  of  the  paunch  favors  the  twisting.  The  paunch  occu- 
pies the  whole  left  side  of  the  abdomen  and  extends  across  its  floor  to 
the  right  side.  Its  upper  surface  thus  forms  an  inclined  plane,  sloping 
from,  the  left  downward  and  to  the  right,  and  on  this  sloping  surface 


198  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

lies  the  pregnant  womb.  It  is  easy  to  see  how,  in  the  constant  move- 
ments of  the  paunch  upon  its  contents  and  the  frequent  changes  of 
position  of  the  growing  fetus  within  the  womb,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
contractions  of  the  adjacent  bowels  and  the  more  or  less  active  move- 
ments of  the  cow,  should  lead  the  womb  to  roll  downward  to  the  right. 
And  yet,  in  many  cases,  the  twist  is  toward  the  left,  showing  that  it  is  not 
the  result  of  a  simple  rolling  downward  over  the  paunch,  but  rather  of 
other  disturbances.  The  condition  may  be  suspected  Avhen  labor  pains 
have  continued  for  some  time  without  any  sign  of  the  water-bags,  and 
it  is  confirmed  when  the  oiled  hand,  introduced  through  the  vagina, 
finds  the  mouth  of  the  womb  soft  and  yielding,  but  furnished  with 
internal  folds  running  forward  in  a  spiral  manner.  If  the  folds  on  the 
upper  wall  of  the  orifice  run  toward  the  right,  the  womb  is  twisted  to 
the  right ;  if,  on  the  contrary,  they  turn  toward  the  left  it  indicates 
that  the  womb  is  turned  over  in  that  direction.  The  direction  of  the 
twist  must  be  known  before  treatment  can  be  undertaken.  Then,  if 
the  twist  is  toward  the  right,  the  cow  is  laid  upon  her  right  side,  with 
her  head  down  hill,  the  hand  of  the  operator  is  introduced  through  the 
spirally  constricted  neck  of  the  womb,  and  a  limb  or  other  portion  of 
the  body  of  the  calf  is  seized  and  pressed  firmly  against  the  wall  of 
the  womb.  Meanwhile  two  or  three  assistants  roll  the  cow  from  her 
right  side  over  her  back  to  her  left  side.  The  object  is  to  hold  the 
womb  and  calf  still  while  the  body  of  the  cow  rolls  over.  If  success- 
ful, the  twist  is  undone,  its  grasp  on  the  wrist  is  slackened,  and  the 
water  bags  and  calf  press  into  the  now  open  passage.  If  the  first 
attempt  does  not  succeed  it  is  to  be  repeated  until  success  has  been 
attained.  If  the  spiral  folds  on  the  upper  wall  of  the  opening  turn 
toward  the  left,  the  cow  is  laid  on  her  left  side  and  rolled  over  on  her 
back  and  on  to  the  right  side,  the  hand  being,  as  before,  within  the 
womb  and  holding  the  fetus,  so  that  all  may  not  rotate  with  the  cow. 
In  introducing  the  hand  it  will  usually  be  found  needful  to  perforate 
the  membranes,  so  that  a  limb  of  the  calf  may  be  seized  direct  and 
firmly  held.  Among  my  occasional  causes  of  failure  with  these  cases 
have  been,  first,  the  previous  death  and  decomposition  of  the  fetus, 
Jeading  to  such  overdistension  of  the  womb  that  it  could  not  be  made 
to  rotate  within  the  abdomen;  and.  second,  the  occurrence  of  inflam- 
mation and  an  exudate  on  the  twisted  neck  of  the  womb,  which  hin- 
dered it  from  untwisting. 

In  obstinate  cases,  in  which  the  hand  can  be  made  to  pass  through 
the  neck  of  the  womb  easily,  additional  help  may  be  had  from  the  use 
of  the  instrument  shown  in  Plate  xx.  Fig.  5.  Two  cords,  with  running 
nooses,  are  successively  introduced  and  made  fast  on  two  limbs  of  the 
calf;  the  cords  are  then  passed  through  the  two  rings  on  the  end  of  the 
instrument,  which  is  passed  into  the  womb  and  the  cords  drawn  tight 
and  fixed  round  the  handle.  Then,  using  the  handle  as  a  lever,  it  is 
turned  in  the  direction  opposite  to  the  twist.  The  hand  should  mean- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  199 

while  be  introduced  into  the  womb  and  the  snared  limbs  seized  and 
pressed  against  its  .walls  so  as  to  secure  the  rotation  of  the  uterus  along 
with  the  body  of  the  fetus.  The  relaxation  of  the  constriction  and 
the  effacenient  of  the  spiral  folds  will  show  when  success  has  been 
gained,  and  the  different  members  at  one  end  of  the  body  should  then 
lie  brought  up  so  as  to  secure  a  natural  presentation. 

NARROW   PELVIS   FROM   FRACTURE    OR   DISEASE, 

In  a  small  cow  the  pelvis  may  be  too  small  to  pass  a  calf  sired  by  a 
bull  of  a  large  breed,  but  this  is  exceptional,  as  the  fetus  usually 
accommodates  itself  to  the  size  of  the  dam  and  makes  its  extra  growth 
after  birth.  When  the  pelvic  bones  have  been  fractured  repair  takes 
pluce  with  the  formation  of  a  large  permanent  callus,  which,  projecting 
internally,  may  be  a  serious  obstacle  to  calving.  Worse  still,  if  the 
edge  of  the  broken  bone  projects  internally  as  a  sharp  spike  or  ridge, 
;i>  the  vaginal  Avails  are  cut  upon  this  during  the  passage  of  the  calf, 
with  serious  or  fatal  result.  In  other  cases,  where  the  cow  has  suffered 
from  fragility  of  bone  (fragiliias  ossium),  the  thickening  of  the  bone 
causes  narrowing  of  the  long  passage  of  the  pelvis  and  the  crumb- 
ling fractures  poorly  repaired,  with  an  excess  of  brittle  new  material, 
may  form  an  insuperable  obstacle  to  parturition.  Cows  affected  in  any 
of  these  ways  should  never  again  be  bred,  but  if  they  do  get  pregnant 
and  reach  full  time  a  careful  examination  will  be  necessary  to  determine 
whether  natural  parturition  can  take  place,  or  if  the  calf  must  be 
extracted  in  pieces.  (See  Embryotoiny.) 

OBSTRUCTION  BY  MASSES   OF  FAT. 

This  is  not  unknown  in  old  cows  of  the  beef  breeds,  the  enormous 
masses  of  fat  upon  and  within  the  pelvis  being  associated  with  weak- 
ness or  fatty  degeneration  of  the  muscles.  If  the  presentation  is  nat 
tiral  little  more  is  wanted  than  a  judicious  traction  upon  the  fetus  to 
compress  and  overcome  the  soft  resisting  masses. 

OBSTRUCTION   BY    A   FULL   BLADDER    OR   RECTUM,  OR    BY    STONE. 

In  all  cases  of  delayed  or  tardy  parturition  the  evacuation  of  rectum 
and  bladder  is  iini>ortant,  and  it  is  no  loss  so  in  all  difficult  parturi- 
tions. Stone  in  the  bladder  is  fortunately  rare  in  the  cow,  but  when 
present  it  should  Ix*  removed  to  obviate  crushing  and  perhaps  perfora- 
tion of  the  organ  during  calving. 

CALVING    RETARDED    BY    NERVOUSNESS. 

Ill  a  public  fairground  I  have  seen  labor  pains  begin  early  in  the  day 
and  keep  up  in  a  weak  and  insufficient  manner  for  many  hours,  until 
the  stall  was  thoroughly  closed  in  and  the  cow  secluded  from  the  eon- 
stant  stream  of  visitors  and  the  incessant  noise,  when  at  once  the  pains 
became  strong  °.nd  oftective  and  the  calf  was  soon  born. 


200  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

COAGULATED   BLOOD   UNDER    THE   VAGINAL,   WALLS. 

This  is  common  after  calving,  but  will  sometimes  occur  before,  as  the 
result  of  accidental  injury.  The  mass  may  be  recognized  by  its  dark 
hue  and  the  doughy  sensation  to  the  touch.  It  may  be  cut  into  and 
the  mass  turned  out  with  the  fingers,  after  which  it  should  be  washed 
frequently  with  an  antiseptic  lotion  (carbolic  acid  1  dram,  in  1  quart 
water). 

CONSTRICTION    OF   A   MEMBER   BY    THE    NAVEL    STRING. 

In  early  fetal  life  the  winding  of  the  navel-string  round  a  limb  may 
cause  the  latter  to  be  slowly  cut  off  by  absorption  under  the  constrict 
ing  cord.  So,  at  calving,  the  cord  wound  round  a  presenting  member 
may  retard  progress  somewhat,  and  though  the  calf  may  still  be  born 
tardily  by  the  unaided  efforts  of  the  mother,  it  is  liable  to  come  still- 
born because  the  circulation  in  the  cord  is  interrupted  by  compression 
before  the  offspring  can  reach  the  open  air  and  commence  to  breathe. 
If,  therefore,  it  is  possible  to  anticipate  and  prevent  this  displacement 
and  compression  of  the  navel  string  it  should  be  done,  but  if  this  is  no 
longer  possible,  then  the  extraction  of  the  calf  should  be  effected  as 
rapidly  as  possible,  and  if  breathing  is  not  at  once  attempted  it  should 
be  started  by  artificial  means. 

WATER   IN    THE    HEAD    (HYDROCEPHALUS)    OF    THE    CALF. 

This  is  an  enormous  distention  of  the  cavity  holding  the  brain,  by 
reason  of  the  accumulation  of  liquid  in  the  internal  cavities  (ventricles) 
of  the  brain  substance.  The  head  back  of  the  eyes  rises  into  a  great 
rounded  ball  (Plate  xix,  Figs.  4  and  5),  which  proves  an  insuperable 
obstacle  to  parturition.  The  fore  feet  and  nose  being  the  parts  pre- 
sented, no  progress  can  be  made,  and  even  if  the  feet  are  pulled  upon, 
the  nose  can  not  by  any  means  be  made  to  appear.  The  oiled  hand  intro- 
duced into  the  passages  will  feel  the  nose  presenting  between  the  fore 
limbs,  and  on  passing  the  hand  back  over  the  face  the  hard  rounded 
mass  of  the  cranium  is  met  with.  A  sharp  pointed  knife  or  a  canula 
and  trocar  should  be  introduced  in  the  palm  of  the  hand,  and  pushed 
into  the  center  of  the  rounded  mass  so  as  to  evacuate  the  water.  The 
hand  is  now  used  to  press  together  the  hitherto  distended  but  thin 
and  fragile  walls,  and  the  calf  may  be  delivered  in  the  natural  way.  If 
the  enlarged  head  is  turned  backward  it  must  still  be  reached  and 
punctured,  after  which  it  must  be  brought  up  into  position  and  the  calf 
delivered. 

If  the  hind  feet  present  first,  all  may  go  well  until  the  body  and  shoul- 
ders have  passed  out,  when  further  progress  is  suddenly  arrested  by  the 
great  bulk  of  the  head.  If  possible  the  hand,  armed  with  a  knife  or  tro- 
car, must  be  passed  along  the  side  of  the  shoulder  or  neck  so  as  to  reach 
and  puncture  the  distended  head.  Failing  in  this  the  body  may  be 
skinned  up  from  ,3he  belly  and  cut  in  two  at  the  shoulder  or  neck,  after 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  201 

which  the  head  can  easily  be  reached  and  punctured.  In  such  a  case 
the  fore  limbs  have  been  left  in  the  womb,  and  these  may  now  be  brought 
up  into  the  passage  and  when  dragged  upon,  the  collapsed  head  will 
follow. 

If  the  distention  is  not  sufficient  to  have  rendered  the  bony  walls  of 
the  cranium  thin  and  fragile,  so  that  they  can  be  compressed  with  the 
hand  after  puncture,  a  special  method  may  be  necessary.  A  long  incision 
should  be  made  from  behind  forward  in  the  median  line  of  the  cranium 
with  an  embryo tomy knife  (Plate  xxi,Fig.  1)  or  with  along  einbryotoine 
(Plate  xx,  Fig.  3).  By  this  means  the  bones  on  the  one  side  are  com- 
pletely separated  from  those  on  the  other,  and  may  be  made  to  overlap 
and  perhaps  to  flatten  down.  If  this  fails  they  may  be  cut  from  the 
head  all  around  the  base  of  the  rounded  cranial  swelling,  by  means  of 
a  guarded  chisel  (Plate  xx,  Fig.  8)  and  inallcjt,  after  which  there  will  be 
no  difficulty  in  causing  them  to  collapse. 

DROPSY  OF  THE  ABDOMEN  OF  THE  CALF— ASCITES. 

This  is  less  frequent  than  hydrocephalus,  but  no  less  difficult  to  deal 
with.  With  an  anterior  presentation  the  fore  limbs  and  head  may  come 
away  easily  enough,  but  no  effort  will  advance  the  calf  beyond  the 
shoulders.  The  first  thought  should  be  dropsy  of  the  belly,  and  the 
oiled  hand  introduced  by  the  side  of  the  chest  will  detect  the  soft  and 
fluctuating  yet  tense  sac  of  the  abdomen.  If  there  is  space  to  allow  of 
the  introduction  of  an  einbryotomy  knife  the  abdomen  may  be  freely 
cut  with  this,  when  the  fluid  will  escape  into  the  womb  and  parturition 
may  proceed  naturally.  If  this  can  not  be  effected  a  long  trocar  and 
c, 1 11  u In  may  be  passed  between  the  first  two  ribs  and  straight  on  beneath 
the  spine  until  it  punctures  the  abdomen.  (Plate  xviu,  Fig.  2.)  Then 
the  trocar  is  to  be  withdrawn  and  the  liquid  will  flow  through  the  can- 
ula  and  will  be  hastened  by  traction  on  the  fore  limbs.  In  the  absence 
of  the  trocar  and  canula,  two  or  three  of  the  first  ribs  may  be  cut 
from  the  breastbone  so  that  the  hand  may  be  introduced  through  the 
chest  to  puncture  the  diaphragm  with  an  embryotomy  knife  and  allow 
an  escape  of  the  water.  In  some  slighter  cases  a  tardy  delivery  may 
take  place  without  puncture,  the  liquid  bulging  forward  into  the  chest 
as  the  abdomen  in  compressed  in  the  pelvic  passages.  With  a  posterior 
presentation  the  abdomen  may  be  pum-tured  more  easily  either  in  the 
flank  or  with  a  trocar  and  canula  through  the  aims. 

GENERAL    DROPSY    OF    THE    CALF. 

This  occurs  from  watery  blood  or  disease  of  some  internal  organ,  like 
the  liver  or  kidney,  and  is  recognized  by  the  general  putted  up  and 
rounded  condition  of  the  body,  which  pits  everywhere  on  pressure  but 
without  crackling.  If  not  too  extreme  a  case  the  calf  may  bo  extracted 
after  it  has  been  very  generally  punctured  over  the  body,  but  usually 
the  only  resort  ir  to  extract  it  in  pieces.  (See  Kmbryotoiny). 


202  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

SWELLING    OF   THE    CALF    WITH   GAS. 

This  is  usually  the  result  of  the  death  and  decomposition  of  the  fetus 
wlKMi  extraction  has  been  delayed  for  a  day  or  more  after  the  escape  of 
the  waters.  It  is  impossible  to  extract  it  whole,  owing  to  its  large  size 
ami  the  dry  state  of  the  skin  of  the  calf,  the  membranes,  and  the  wall  of 
the  womb.  These  dry  surfaces  stick  with  such  tenacity  that  no  attempt 
at  traction  leads  to  any  advance  of  the  calf  out  of  the  womb  or  into  the 
passages.  When  the  fetus  is  advanced  the  adherent  womb  advances 
with  it,  and  when  the  strain  is  relaxed  both  recede  to  where  they  were 
at  first.  The  condition  may  be  helped  somewhat  by  the  free  injection 
of  oil  into  the  womb,  but  it  remains  impossible  to  extract  the  enormously 
bloated  body,  and  the  only  resort  is  to  cut  it  in  pieces  and  extract  it  by 
degrees.  (See  Embryotomy). 

RIGID    CONTRACTIONS   OF   MUSCLES. 

Iii  the  development  of  the  calf,  as  in  after  life,  the  muscles  are  subject 
to  cramps,  and  in  certain  cases  given  groups  of  muscles  remain  unnat- 
urally short,  so  that  even  the  bones  grow  in  a  twisted  and  distorted 
way.  In  one  case  the  head  and  neck  are  drawn  round  to  one  side  and 
can  not  be  straightened  out,  even  the  bones  of  the  face  and  the  nose 
being  curved  around  to  that  side.  In  other  cases  the  flexor  muscles  of 
the  fore  legs  are  so  shortened  that  the  knees  are  kept  constantly  bent 
and  can  not  be  extended  by  force.  The  bent  neck  may  sometimes  be 
sufficiently  straightened  for  extraction  by  cutting  across  the  muscles 
on  the  side  to  which  it  is  turned,  and  the  bent  knees  by  cutting  the 
cords  on  the  back  of  the  shank  bones  just  below  the  knees.  If  this 
fails  there  remains  the  resort  of  cutting  off  the  distorted  limbs  or  head. 
(See  Embryotomy). 

TUMORS   OF   THE    CALF — INCLOSED    OVUM. 

Tumors  or  new  growths  grow  on  the  unborn  calf  as  on  the  mature 
animal,  and  by  increasing  the  diameter  of  the  body  render  its  passage 
through  the  passage  of  the  pelvis  impossible.  In  my  experience  with 
large  fleshy  tumors  of  the  abdomen,  I  have  cut  open  the  chest,  removed 
the  lungs  and  heart,  cut  through  the  diaphragm  with  the  knife,  and 
removed  the  tumor  piecemeal  by  alternate  tearing  and  cutting  until  the 
volume  of  the  body  was  sufficiently  reduced  to  pass  through.  Where 
this  failed  it  would  remain  to  cut  off  the  anterior  part  of  the  body, 
removing  as  much  of  the  chest  as  possible,  and  cutting  freely  through 
the  diaphragm;  then,  pushing  back  the  remainder  of  the  body,  the  hind 
limbs  may  be  seized  and  brought  into  the  passages,  and  the  residue 
extracted  thus.  The  tumor,  unless  very  large,  will  get  displaced  back- 
ward so  as  not  to  prove  an  insuperable  obstacle. 

In  many  cases  the  apparent  tumor  is  a  blighted  ovum  which  has 
failed  to  develop,  but  has  grafted  itself  on  its  more  fortunate  twin  and 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  203 

from  it  lias  drawn  its  nourishment.  These  are  usually  sacs  containing 
hair,  skin,  muscle,  bone,  or  other  natural  tissues,  and  only  exceptionally 
do  they  show  the  distinct  outline  of  the  animal. 

MONSTROSITY    IN   THE    CALF. 

As  a  monstrous  development  in  the  calf  may  hinder  calving,  it  is 
well  to  consider  shortly  the  different  directions  in  which  these  devi- 
ations from  the  natural  form  appear.  Their  origin  and  significance 
will  be  rendered  clearer  if  we  divide  them  according  to  the  fault  of 
development  in  individual  cases.  Monsters  are  such— 

(1)  From  absence  of  parts — absence  of  head,  limb,  or  other  organ — 
arrested  development. 

(2)  From  some  organ  being  unnaturally  small,  as  a  dwarfed  head,  limb, 
trunk,  etc. — arrested  development. 

(3)  From  unnatural  division  of  parts — cleft  lips,  palate,  head,  trunk, 
limbs,  etc. — abnormal  growth. 

(4)  From  the  absence  of  natural  divisions — absence  of  mouth,  nose, 
eye,  anus,  the  cloven  foot  of  ox  or  pig  becomes  solid  like  that  of  the 
horse,  etc. — confluence  of  parts  which  are  rightfully  separate. 

(5)  From  the  fusion  of  parts — both  eyes  replaced  by  central  one,  both 
nostrils  merged  into  one  central  opening,  etc. — confluence  of  parts. 

(6)  From  unnatural  position  or  form  of  parts — curved  nose,  neck, 
back,  limbs,  etc. — lack  of  balance  in  the  growth  of  muscles  during 
development. 

(7)  From  excessive  growth  of  one  or  more  organs — enormous  size  of 
head,  double  penis,  superfluous  digits,  etc. — redundancy  of  growth  at 
given  points. 

(8)  From  imperfect  differentiation  of  the  sexual  organs — hermaphro- 
dites (organs  intermediate  between  male  and  female),  male  organs  with 
certain  feminine  characters,  female  organs  with  certain  well-marked 
male  characters. 

(9)  From  the  doubling  of  parts,  or  of  the  entire  body — double  mon- 
sters, double  heads,  double  bodies,  extra  limbs,  etc. — redundant  devel- 
opment.    (Plato  xix,  Figs.  1,  2,  3.) 

The  came*  of  monstrosities  are  varied.  Some,  like  extra  digits,  lack 
of  horns,  etc.,  nin  in  families,  which  produce  them  with  absolute  cer- 
tainty when  bred  in  the  direct  line,  although  they  were  originally 
acquired  j>ecnliarities,  which  have  merely  been  fixed  by  long  habit  in 
successive  generations.  The  earliest  horse  had  five  toes,  and  even  the 
most  recent  fossil  horse  had  three  toes,  of  which  the  two  lateral  ones 
are  still  represented  in  the  modern  horse  by  the  two  splint  bones.  Yet 
if  our  horse  develops  an  extra  toe  it  is  pronounced  a  monstrosity.  A 
more  genuine  monstrosity  is  the  solid  hoofed  pig.  in  which  two  toes 
have  been  merged  into  one.  Another  of  the  same  kind  is  the  solid 
shank  bone  of  the  ox,  which  consists  of  two  tamos  united  into  one.  but 
which  are  still  found  apart  in  the  early  fotu.-.  Though  originally 
acquired  peculiarities,  these  now  breed  as  invariably  as  color  or  form. 


204  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Other  monstrosities  seem  to  have  started  in  too  close  breeding,  by 
which  the  powers  of  symmetrical  development  are  impaired,  just  as  the 
procreative  power  weakens  under  continuous  breeding  from  the  closest 
blood  relations.  A  monstrosity  consisting  in  the  absence  of  an  organ 
often  depends  on  a  simple  lack  of  development,  the  result  of  disease  or 
injury,  as  a  young  bone  is  permanently  shortened  by  being  broken 
across  the  soft  part  between  the  shaft  and  the  end,  the  only  part  where 
increase  in  length  can  take  place.  As  the  result  of  the  injury  the  soft 
growing  layer  becomes  prematurely  hard  and  all  increase  in  length  at 
that  end  of  the  bone  ceases.  This  will  account  for  some  cases  of 
absence  of  eye,  limb,  or  other  organ. 

Sometimes  a  monstrosity  is  due  to  the  inclosure  of  one  ovum  in 
another,  while  the  latter  is  still  but  a  soft  mass  of  cells  and  can  easily 
close  around  the  first.  Here  each  ovum  has  an  independent  life,  and 
they  develop  simultaneously,  only  the  outer  one  having  direct  connec- 
tion with  the  womb,  and  being  furnished  with  abundant  nourishment 
advances  most  rapidly  and  perfectly,  while  the  inclosed  and  starved 
ovum  is  dwarfed  and  imperfect  often  to  the  last  degree. 

In  many  cases  of  excess  of  parts,  the  extra  part  or  member  is  mani- 
festly derived  from  the  same  ovum,  and  even  the  same  part  of  the 
ovum,  being  merely  effort  of  a  redundancy  and  vagary  of  growth. 
Such  cases  include  most  instances  of  extra  digits  or  other  organs, 
and  even  of  double  monsters,  as  manifested  by  the  fact  that  such  extra 
organs  grow  from  the  normal  identical  organs.  Hence  the  extra 
digit  is  attached  to  the  normal  digit,  the  extra  head  to  the  one 
neck,  and  extra  tail  to  the  croup,  extra  teeth  to  the  existing  teeth, 
and  even  two  similarly  formed  bodies  are  attached  by  some  point 
common  to  both,  as  the  navels,  breastbones,  back,  etc.  (Plate  xix, 
Figs.  1,  2,  3.)  This  shows  that  both  have  been  derived  from  the  same 
primitive  layer  of  the  embryo,  which  possessed  the  plastic  power  of 
building  up  a  given  structure  or  set  of  organs.  An  inclosed  ovum,  on 
the  other  hand,  has  no  such  identity  or  similarity  of  structure  to  the 
part  with  which  it  is  connected,  showing  an  evident  primary  inde- 
pendence of  both  life  and  the  power  of  building  tissues  and  organs. 
The  power  of  determining  extra  growth  along  a  given  natural  line  is 
very  highly  developed  in  the  early  embryo,  and  is  equally  manifest  in 
the  mature  example  of  some  of  the  lower  forms  of  animal  life.  Thus 
a  newt  will  grow  a  new  tail  when  that  member  has  been  cut  oft',  and  a 
starfish  will  develop  as  many  new  starfishes  as  the  pieces  made  by  cutting 
up  the  original  one.  This  power  of  growth  in  the  embryo  and  in  the 
lower  forms  of  animals  is  comparable  to  the  branching  out  again  of 
a  tree  at  the  places  from  which  branches  have  been  lopped.  The 
presence  of  this  vegetable-like  power  of  growth  in  the  embryo  accounts 
for  most  double  monsters. 

The  influence  of  disease  in  modifying  growth  in  the  early  embryo, 
increasing,  decreasing,  distorting,  etc.,  is  well  illustrated  in  the  experi- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  205 

ments  of  St.  Hilaire  and  Valentine  in  varnishing,  shaking,  or  otherwise 
disturbing  the  connections  of  eggs,  and  thereby  producing  monstrosities. 
One  can  easily  understand  how  inflammations  and  other  causes  of  dis- 
turbed circulation  in  the  womb,  fetal  membranes,  or  fetus  would  cause 
similar  distortions  and  variations  in  the  growing  offspring.  It  is  doubt- 
less largely  in  the  same  way  that  certain  mental  disturbances  of  a  very 
susceptible  dam  affect  the  appearance  of  the  progeny.  The  monstros- 
ities which  seriously  interfere  with  calving  are  mainly  such  as  consist 
in  extra  members  or  head,  which  can  not  be  admitted  into  the  passages 
at  the  same  time;  where  some  organ  of  the  body  has  attained  to  extra 
size ;  where  a  blighted  ovum  has  been  inclosed  in  the  body  of  a  more 
perfect  one,  or  where  the  body  or  limbs  are  so  contracted  or  twisted 
that  the  calf  must  enter  the  passages  doubled  up. 

Extraction  is  sometimes  possible  by  straightening  the  distorted  mem- 
bers by  the  force  of  traction;  in  other  cases  the  muscles  or  tendons 
must  be  cut  across  on  the  side  to  which  the  body  or  limbs  are  bent,  to 
allow  of  such  straightening.  Thus  the  muscles  on  the  concave  side  of 
a  wry  neck,  or  the  cords  behind  the  shank  bones  of  a  contracted  limb 
may  be  cut  to  allow  of  these  parts  being  brought  into  the  passages,  and 
there  will  still  be  wanting  the  methods  demanded  for  bringing  up 
missing  limbs  or  head,  for  which  see  paragraphs  below.  In  most  cases 
of  monstrosity  by  excess  of  overgrowth  it  becomes  necessary  to  cut  off 
the  supernumerary  or  overdeveloped  parts,  and  in  this  the  same  genera' 
principles  must  be  followed  as  laid  down  in  Embryotomy. 

TABLE    OF    WRONG    PRESENTATIONS    OF    THE    CALF. 

Simultaneous  presentation  of  twins. 

Liuibs  curved  at  the  knee.     Flexor  tendons  shortened. 
Limb  crossed  over  the  hack  of  the  neck. 


a 
S-3 


Fore  limbs •,  Limh  bent  1)a<>]_  at  lho 


Head 


Limb  bent  back  from  tho  shoulder. 

Head  bent  downward  on  the  neck. 

Head  and  neck  turned  downward  beneath  the  breast. 

Head  turned  to  one  side  upon  the  side  of  the  neck. 

Head  and  neck  turned  back  on  the  side  of  the  chest  and 


abdomen. 
•r  Head  turned  upward  au<l  l>.u  k\\  ;n«l  on  the  back. 

[  Hind  limbs  rotated  outward.     Toes  and  stilles  turned  out- 
Hind  limbs |      ward. 

(  Hind  limbs  bent  forward,  their  feet  resting  in  tl^'  pelvis. 

Transverse Hack  of  the  calf  turned  to  the  right  or  left  side. 

i  Hark   of  the    calf  turned  to  the  floor  of  the   pelvis  and 

Inverted i      udder. 

I  Hind  limb  bent  on  itself  at  the  hock.     Hock  and  buttocks 

^^      Hind  limbs \      present. 

I  Hind  limb  bent  at  the  hips.     Huttocks  present. 

o  «  I  Transverse Hack  of  calf  turned  to  tho  right  or  left  side. 

\  Inverted Hack  of  calf  turned  to  the  Hour  of  the  pel\  is  and  udder. 


206  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

{Head   up   toward   the   spint, 
croup  toward  ndder. 
Head    down    toward    ndder. 
croup  toward  spine. 
!Head  toward  the  right  side, 
croup  toward  the  left. 
„      ,  *  ...      ,   „.      .  . 

Head  toward   the   left  side, 


(^     croup  toward  the  right. 


Breast  ami  abdo- )  ™  toward  left. 

'  Position  of  calf  transverse..  ' 


(  Head  toward  right  side,  croup 

uieu  presented.    \  l  j  Head  toward  left  side,  croup 

[     toward  right. 

These  include  all  general  presentations,  yet  other  subsidiary  ones 
will  at  once  occur  to  the  attentive  reader.  Thus,  in  each  anterior  or 
posterior  presentation,  with  the  back  of  the  calf  turned  downward  or 
to  one  side,  the  case  may  be  complicated  by  the  bending  back  of 
one  or  more  members  as  a  whole,  or  at  the  joint  just  above  the  shank- 
bones  (knee  or  hock).  So  also  in  such  anterior  presentation  the  head 
may  be  turned  back. 

HEAD  AND  FORE  FEET  PRESENTED — BACK  TURNED  TO  ONE  SIDE. 

The  calf  has  a  greater  diameter  from  above  down  (spiue  to  breast- 
bone) than  it  has  from  side  to  side,  and  the  same  is  true  of  the  passage 
of  the  pelvis  of  the  cow,  which  measures,  on  an  average,  8^  inches 
from  above  downward,  and  7-j°0-  inches  from  side  to  side.  Hence,  the 
calf  passes  most  easily  with  its  back  upward,  and  when  turned  with  its 
back  to  one  side  calving  is  always  tardy  and  may  be  difficult  or  impos- 
sible. The  obvious  remedy  is  to  rotate  the  calf  on  its  own  axis  until 
its  spine  turns  towards  the  spine  of  the  cow.  The  operation  is  not 
difficult  if  the  body  of  the  calf  is  not  yet  fixed  in  the  passages.  The 
presenting  feet  are  twisted  over  each  other  in  the  direction  desired, 
and  this  is  continued  until  the  head  and  spine  have  assumed  their  proper 
place.  If  the  body  is  firmly  engaged  in  the  passages  the  skin  of  the 
whole  engaged  portion  should  be  freely  lubricated  with  lard,  and  the 
limbs  and  head  twisted  over  each  other  as  above.  The  limbs  may  be 
twisted  by  an  assistant  where  the  head  is  manipulated  by  the  operator, 
who  drags  on  the  rope  turned  halfway  round  the  limbs,  and  assists  in 
the  rotation  with  his  other  hand  in  the  passages. 

HEAD  AND  FORE  FEET  PRESENTED — BACK  TURNED  DOWN  TOWARD 

THE  UDDER. 

This  position  (Plate  xvi,  Fig.  6)  is  unnatural,  and  the  parturition  is 
difficult  for  two  reasons:  first,  the  natural  curvature  of  the. fetus  is  op- 
posed to  the  natural  curvature  of  the  passages;  and,  second,  the  thick- 
est p«irt  of  the  body  of  the  calf  (the  upper)  is  engaged  in  the  narrowest 
part  of  the  passage  of  the  pelvis  (the  lower.)  Yet  unless  the  calf  is 
especially  large  and  the  pelvis  of  the  cow  narrow,  parturition  may 
usually  be  accomplished  in  this  way  spontaneously,  or  with  very  little 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  207 

ranee  in  the  way  of  traction  on  the  limbs.  If  this  can  not  be 
accomplished  two  courses  are  open:  first,  to  take  the  calf  as  when  the 
back  is  turned  to  one  side,  and,  second,  to  push  back  the  presenting  fore 
limbs  and  head,  and  search  for  and  bring  up  the  hind  limbs,  when  the 
presentation  will  be  a  natural  posterior  one. 

PRESENTATION   OF  THE   HIND   FEET  WITH  THE  BACK  TURNED  TO  ONE 

SIDE  OR  DOWNWARD. 

These  are  the  exact  counterparts  of  the  two  conditions  last  described, 
are  beset  with  similar  drawbacks,  and  are  to  be  dealt  with  on  the  same 
general  principles.  (Plate  xvn,  Fig.  4.)  With  the  back  turned  to  one 
side,  the  body  should  be  rotated  until  the  back  turns  toward  the  spine 
of  the  dam,  and  with  the  back  turned  down  it  must  be  extracted  in 
that  position  (care  being  taken  that  the  feet  do  not  perforate  the  roof 
of  the  vagina),  or  it  must  be  rotated  on  its  own  axis  until  the  back 
turns  upward,  or  the  hind  limbs  must  be  pushed  back  and  the  fore 
limbs  and  head  advanced,  when  the  presentation  will  be  a  natural 
anterior  one. 

IMPACT  ION   OF   TWINS   IN   THE   PASSAGE. 

It  is  very  rare  to  have  twins  enter  the  passages  together  so  as  to 
become  firmly  impacted.  As  a  rule  each  of  the  twins  has  its  own  sep- 
arate membranes,  and  as  the  water-bags  of  the  one  will  naturally  first 
enter  and  be  the  first  to  burst,  so  the  calf  which  occupied  those  mem- 
branes will  be  the  first  to  enter  the  passage  and  the  other  will  be 
thereby  excluded.  When  the  membranes  of  both  twins  have  burst 
without  either  calf  having  become  engaged  in  the  pelvis,  it  becomes 
possible  for  the  fore  legs  of  the  one  and  the  hind  legs  of  the  other  to 
enter  at  one  time,  and  if  the  straining  is  very  violent  they  may  become 
firmly  impacted.  (Plate  xviu,  Fig.  1.)  The  condition  may  be  recognized 
by  the  fact  that  two  of  the  presenting  feet  have  their  fronts  turned  for- 
ward, while  the  two  others  have  their  fronts  turned  backward.  If  the 
four  feet  belonged  to  one  natural  calf  they  would  all  have  the  same  di- 
rection, liy  means  of  this  difference  in  direction  we  can  easily  select 
the  t\vo  feet  of  one  calf,  place  running  nooses  upon  them  just  above  the 
hoofs  or  fetlocks,  and  have  an  assistant  drag  upon  the  ropes  while  the 
feet  of  the  other  calf  are  pushed  back.  In  selecting  one  of  the  twins 
to  come  first  several  considerations  should  have  weight.  The  one  that 
is  mortt  advanced  in  the  passage  is,  of  course,  the  first  choice.  Though 
the  forefeet  of  one  are  presented, yet  if  the  head  is  not  in  place,  the  call 
presenting  by  its  hind  feet  is  to  be  chosen  as  Wing  less  likely  to 
obstruct.  Again,  if  for  either  calf  one  limb  only  in  presented  and  the, 
other  missing,  the  one  presenting  two  feet  should  be  selected  to  come 
first.  AH  soon  as  the  one  calf  has  been  advanced  so  as  to  occupy  the 
pelvis,  the  other  will  be  crowded  back  so  that  it  will  not  seriously 
obstruct. 


208  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

FORE   LIMBS   CURVED   AT   THE   KNEE — LIMBS   SPRAWLING  OUTWARD. 

Iii  this  case  not  only  are  the  knees  somewhat  bent  in  a  curve  but  the 
calf  has  a  position  as  if  it  rested  on  its  breastbone,  while  the  legs  were 
drawn  apart  and  directed  to  the  right  and  left.  The  shoulder  blades 
being  drawn  outward  from  the  chest  and  the  elbows  turned  out,  the 
muscles  extending  from  the  trunk  to  the  limb  are  unduly  stretched  and 
keep  the  knees  bent  and  the  feet  directed  outward  so  as  to  press  on  the 
sides  of  the  passages.  They  become  retarded  in  their  progress  as  com- 
pared with  the  more  rapidly  advancing  head,  and  may  bruise  or  even 
lacerate  the  Avails  of  the  vagina.  It  would  seem  easy  to  rectify  this  by 
extending  the  legs,  but  the  already  tense  and  overstretched  muscles 
operate  against  extension  in  the  present  position,  and  it  is  not  easy  to 
rotate  the  limbs  so  as  to  apply  the  shoulder  flat  against  the  side  of  the 
chest.  Under  these  circumstances  a  repeller  (Plate  xx,  Fig.  7)  may  be 
planted  in  the  breast,  and  the  body  of  the  calf  pushed  backward  into 
the  womb,  when  the  limbs  will  extend  easily  under  traction  and  the 
presentation  becomes  at  once  natural. 

FORE   LIMBS    CURVED   AT   KNEE — FLEXOR   TENDONS   SHORTENED. 

Iii  this  case  the  feet  will  press  against  the  floor  of  the  pelvis  though 
the  limb  has  no  outward  direction,  and  the  shoulder  meanwhile  presses 
against  the  roof  of  the  same  passage.  Unless  the  knees  can  be  suffi- 
ciently straightened  by  force  a  knife  must  be  employed  to  cut  across  the 
cords  behind  the  knee,  when  the  limbs  may  be  straightened  sufficiently. 

FORE  LIMBS  FLEXED  AT  KNEE — FLEXOR  TENDONS  UNSHORTENED. 

This  is  mostly  seen  in  cases  in  which  the  body  ot  the  calf  is  in  the 
proper  position,  its  back  being  turned  up  toward  the  back  of  the  dam, 
and  in  cows  with  a  drooping  abdomen.  The  feet  have  been  supposed 
to  catch  beneath  the  brim  of  the  pelvis  and  being  retarded  while  the 
head  advances  into  the  passages  they  get  bent  at  the  knee,  and  the 
nose  and  knees  present.  (Plate  x vi,  Fig.  2. )  The  calf,  however,  is  not  an 
inanimate  body  advanced  by  the  mere  contraction  of  the  womb,  but  it 
moves  its  limbs  freely  under  the  stimulus  of  the  unwonted  compression, 
and  in  moving  the  feet  as  they  are  advanced  they  slip  down  over  the 
pelvic  brim  and  finding  no  other  firm  support  they  bend  back  until, 
under  the  impulsion,  they  can  no  longer  straighten  out  again.  The 
knees,  therefore,  advance  with  the  neck  and  head,  but  the  feet  remain 
bent  back.  The  result  is  that  the  upper  part  of  the  limb  is  also  flexed, 
and  the  shoulder  blade  and  arm  bone  with  their  masses  of  investing 
muscles  are  carried  backward  and  applied  on  the  side  of  the  chest, 
greatly  increasing  the  bulk  of  this  already  bulky  part.  As  the  elbow 
is  carried  back  on  the  side  of  the  chest,  the  forearm  from  elbow  to  knee 
further  increases  the  superadded  masses  of  the  shoulder  and  renders 
it  difficult  or  impossible  to  drag  the  mass  through  the  passages.  When 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  209 

the  fore  limbs  are  fully  extended,  on  the  contrary,  the  shoulder  blade  is 
extended  forward  ou  the  smallest  and  narrowest  part  of  the  chest;  the 
arm  bone  with  its  muscles  is  In  great  part  applied  against  the  side  of 
the  back  part  of  the  neck,  and  the  forearm  is  continued  forward  by  the 
side  of  the  head  so  that  the  nose  lies  between  the  knees.  In  this  natu- 
ral presentation  the  presenting  body  of  the  calf  forms  a  long  wedge  or 
cone,  the  increase  of  which  is  slow  and  gradual  until  it  reaches  the 
middle  of  the  chest. 

The  difficulty  of  extending  the  fore  limbs  will  be  in  proportion  to 
the  advance  of  the  head  through  the  pelvic  cavity.  In  the  early  stage 
all  that  is  necessary  may  be  to  introduce  the  oiled  hand,  the  left  one 
for  the  right  leg  or  the  right  one  for  the  left,  and  passing  the  hand  from 
the  knee  on  to  the  foot  to  seize  the  foot  in  the  palm,  bend  it  forcibly  on 
the  fetlock,  and  lift  it  up  over  the  brim  of  the  pelvis,  the  knee  being, 
of  course,  pressed  upward  against  the  spine.  As  soon  as  the  foot  has 
been  raised  above  the  brim  of  the  pelvis  (into  the  passage)  the  limb 
can  be  straightened  out  with  the  greatest  ease. 

When,  however,  the  shoulders  are  already  engaging  in  the  pelvis 
the  feet  can  not  thus  be  lifted  up,  and  to  gain  room  a  repeller  (Plate  xx, 
Fig.  7)  must  be  used  to  push  back  the  body  of  the  calf.  This  is  an 
instrument  with  a  long  straight  stem,  divided  at  the  end  into  two  short 
in  -inches  (2  to  3  inches  long)  united  to  the  stem  by  hinges  so  that  they 
can  be  brought  into  a  line  with  the  stem  for  introduction  into  the  womb 
and  then  spread  to  be  implanted  in  the  breast.  In  the  absence  of  a 
it  jM-ller  a  smooth  round  fork-handle  maybe  used,  the  prongs  having 
been  removed  from  the  other  end.  A  third  device  is  to  have  an  assist- 
ant strip  his  arm  to  the  shoulder  and,  standing  back  to  back  with  the 
operator,  to  introduce  his  right  arm  into  the  passages  along  with  the 
operator's  left  (or  vice  versa)  and  push  back  the  body  of  the  calf  while 
the  operator  seeks  to  bring  up  a  limb.  The  repeller  or  staff  having 
been  planted  safely  in  the  breast  of  the  calf,  an  assistant  pushes  upon 
it  in  a  direction  either  forward  or  slightly  upward  so  as  not  only  to  fol- 
low the  natural  curve  of  the  body  and  favor  its  turning  in  the  line  of 
that  curve  within  the  womb,  but  also  to  carry  the  shoulders  upward 
toward  the  Hpine  and  secure  more  room  for  bringing  up  the  missing 
feet.  It  is  good  policy  to  first  put  a  halter  (Plate  xxi.  Figs.  4n  and  4/>)  on 
the  head  or  a  noose  (Plate  xxi,  Fig.  3)  on  the  lower  jaw  and  a  rope  round 
each  limb  at  the  knee  so  as  to  provide  against  the  loss  of  any  of  these 
p:n  ts  when  the  body  is  pushed  back  into  the  womb.  This  offers  the 
further  advantage  that  by  dragging  upon  these  ropes  the  body  can  be 
advanced  in  the  passage  until  the  foot  is  reached,  when  the  rope  must 
be  slackened  and  the  repeller  used  to  secure  room  for  bringing  up  the 
foot.  If  the  cow  is  lying,  the  operator  should  flrst  secure  the  foot  on 
the  upper  side  and  then,  if  necessary,  turn  the  cow  on  its  opposite  side 
so  as  to  bring  up  the  other. 

In  using  the  instruments  some  precautions  are  demanded.  They 
24097 U 


210  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

must  be  invariably  -warmed  before  they  are  introduced,  and  they  should 
be  smeared  with  lard  or  oil  to  make  them  pass  easily  and  without  fric- 
tion. The  assistant  who  is  pushing  on  the  instrument  must  be  warned 
to  stop  if  at  any  time  resistance  gives  way.  This  may  mean  the  turning 
of  the  fetus,  in  which  case  the  object  of  repulsion  has  been  accomplished ; 
but  much  more  probably  it  implies  the  displacement  of  the  instrument 
from  the  body  of  the  fetus,  and  unguarded  pressure  may  drive  it  through 
the  walls  of  the  womb. 

When  the  calf  entered  the  passage  with  its  back  turned  down  toward 
the  belly  and  udder,  the  bending  back  of  the  fore  limbs  is  rare,  prob- 
ably because  the  feet  can  find  a  straighter  and  more  uniform  surface  of 
resistance  in  the  upper  wall  of  the  womb  and  the  backbone,  and  do  not 
slide  over  a  crest  into  an  open  cavity  as  they  do  over  the  brim  of  the 
pelvis.  The  weight  of  the  calf,  too,  gravitating  downward,  leaves  more 
room  for  the  straightening  of  the  bent  limbs,  so  that  the  desired  relief 
is  much  more  easily  secured.  The  manipulation  is  the  same  in  prin- 
ciple, only  one  must  add  the  precaution  of  a  steady  traction  on  the  feet 
in  extraction,  lest,  owing  to  the  adverse  curvature  of  the  fetus,  the 
hoofs  be  suddenly  forced  through  the  roof  of  the  vagina.,  and,  perhaps, 
the  rectum  as  well,  during  a  specially  powerful  labor  pain. 

When  the  back  of  the  calf  is  turned  to  the  right  side  or  the  left,  the 
main  difference  is  that  in  addition  to  straightening  the  limbs  the  fetus 
must  be  rotated  to  turn  its  back  upward  before  extraction  is  attempted. 
In  this  case,  too,  it  may  be  difficult  to  bring  up  and  straighten  the  lower 
of  the  two  limbs  until  the  body  has  been  rotated  into  its  proper  posi- 
tion. Cord  the  upper  straightened  limb  and  head,  then  rotate  the  body, 
and  search  for  the  second  missing  limb. 

FORE   LIMBS   BEXT    BACK  FROM   THE   SHOULDERS. 

This  is  an  exaggeration  of  the  condition  just  named,  and  is  much 
more  difficult  to  remedy,  owing  to  the  distance  and  inaccessibility  of  the 
missing  limb.  It  usually  happens  with  the  proper  position  of  the  body, 
the  back  of  the  calf  being  turned  toward  the  back  of  the  mother.  The 
head  presents  in  the  passage,  and  may  even  protrude  from  the  vulva 
during  an  active  labor  pain,  but  it  starts  back  like  a  spring  when  the 
straining  ceases.  Examination  with  the  oiled  hand  in  the  intervals 
between  the  pains  fails  to  detect  the  missing  limb  or  limbs.  (Plate  xvr, 
Fig.  1.)  If,  however,  the  hand  can  be  introduced  during  a  pain  it  may 
be  possible  to  reach  the  elbow  or  upper  part  of  the  fore  arm.  In  the 
absence  of  a  pain  a  halter  or  noose  on  the  head  maj^beused  to  advance 
the  whole  body  until  the  forearm  can  be  seized  just  below  the  elbow. 
This  being  firmly  held,  and  the  head  or  body  pushed  back  into  the 
womb,  room  may  be  secured  for  bringing  up  the  knee.  The  forearm  is 
used  as  a  lever,  its  upper  part  being  strongly  forced  back  while  its 
lower  part  is  pressed  forward.  If  a  pain  supervenes  the  hold  must  be 
retained,  and  whatever  gain  has  been  made  must  be  held  if  possible. 


DISEASES    OF   1HE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  211 

Then  during  the  next  pain,  by  pushing  back  the  body  and  continuing 
to  operate  the  forearm  as  a  lever,  a  still  farther  advance'  may  be  made. 
As  the  knee  is  brought  up  in  this  way,  the  hand  is  slid  down  from  the 
*  1 1. \v;ird  the  knee,  which  is  finally  brought  up  over  the  brim  of  the 
pelvis  and  into  the  passage.  It  is  now  corded  at  the  knee,  and  the 
subsequent  procedure  is  as  described  in  the  last  article.  In  a  large 
roomy  cow  with  a  small  calf  the  latter  may  pass  with  one  or  both  fore 
legs  bent  back,  but  this  is  a  very  exceptional  case,  and  as  early  assist- 
ance is  the  most  successful,  there  should  never  be  delay  in  hope  of  such 
a  result. 

ONE  FORE  LIMB  CROSSED  OVER  THE  BACK  OF  THE  NECK. 

This  is  a  rare  obstacle  to  calving,  but  one  that  is  not  altogether 
unknown.  The  hand  introduced  into  the  passage  feels  the  head  and 
one  fore  foot,  and  farther  back  on  the  same  side  the  other  foot,  from 
which  the  limb  can  be  traced  obliquely  across  the  back  of  the  neck. 
(Plate  xvi,  Fig.  3.)  This  foot  projecting  transversely  is  liable  to  bruise 
or  tear  the  vagina.  If  still  deeply  engaged  in  the  vagina,  it  may  be 
seized  and  pushed  across  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  neck,  when  the 
presentation  will  be  natural. 

THE  HEAD  BENT  DOWN  BENEATH  THE  NECK. 

In  this  case,  with  drooping  belly  and  womb  allowing  the  brim  of  the 
pelvis  to  form  a  ridge,  the  advancing  calf  having  unduly  depressed  its 
nose  strikes  it  on  the  brim  of  the  pelvis,  and  the  neck  advancing,  the 
head  is  bent  back  and  the  poll  and  ears  either  enter  the  pelvis  or  strike 
:i x ainst  its  brim.  The  two  fore  feet  present,  but  they  make  no  progress, 
and  the  oiled  hand  introduced  can  detect  no  head  until  the  poll  is  felt 
at  the  entrance  of  the  pelvis,  between  the  fore  arms.  The  two  fore  feet 
must  be  fixed  with  running  nooses,  and  dragged  on  moderately  while 
the  oiled  hand  seeks  to  bring  up  the  head.  The  hand  is  slid  down  over 
the  forehead  and  brim  of  the  pelvis  until  the  nose  is  reached,  when  it 
is  passed  into  the  mouth,  the  muzzle  resting  in  the  palm  of  the  hand. 
The  legs  are  now  pushed  upon,  and  in  the  space  thus  gained  the  muzzle 
is  drawn  up  so  as  to  enter  it  into  the  i>elvis.  In  doing  this  the  operator 
must  carefully  sec  that  the  mouth  does  not  drop  open  so  that  the  sharp 
front  teeth  cut  through  the  floor  of  the  womb.  Should  this  danger 
threaten,  the  hand  should  be  made  to  cover  the  lower  jaw  as  well.  The 
lessened  security  of  the  hold  is  more  than  compensated  by  the  safety 
of  the  procedure.  With  the  nose  in  the  pelvis  it  has  only  to  be  drawn 
forward  and  the  parturition  is  natural. 

HEAD  BKNT  DOWN  BENKATH  THE  BHEAST. 

This  is  an  exaggerated  condition  of  that  last  named.  The  head 
arrested  by  the  bi  im  of  the  pelvis  and  already  bent  back  on  the  neck,  is 


212  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

pivssod  farther  with  each  successive  throe  until  it  has  passed  between 
the  fore  legs  and  lodges  beneath  the  breast  bone.  (Plate  xvr,  Fig.  4.)  On 
examination  the  narrow  upper  border  of  the  neck  is  felt  between  the 
fore  arms,  but  as  a  rule  the  head  is  out  of  reach  below.  Keeping  the 
hand  on  the  neck  and  dragging  on  the  feet  by  the  aid  of  ropes,  the 
hand  may  come  to  touch  and  seize  the  ear,  or  still  better,  one  or  two  fin- 
gers may  be  inserted  into  the  orbit  of  the  eye.  Then,  in  pushing  back 
upon  the  limbs,  with  or  without  the  aid  of  a  repeller  applied  against 
the  shoulder,  space  may  be  secured  to  draw  the  head  into  a  vertical 
position,  and  even  to  slip  down  the  hand  so  as  to  seize  the  nose.  Should 
it  prove  impossible  to  draw  up  the  head  with  the  unassisted  fingers,  a 
blunt  hook  (Plate  xxi,  Fig.  6)  may  be  inserted  into  the  orbit,  on  which, 
an  assistant  may  drag  while  another  pushes  upon  the  limbs  or  repeller. 
Meanwhile  the  operator  may  secure  an  opportunity  of  reacliing  and 
seizing  the  nose  or  of  passing  a  blunt  hook  into  the  angle  of  the  mouth. 
Success  will  be  better  assured  if  two  hooks  (Plate  xxi,  Fig.  7)  are  in- 
serted in  the  two  orbits  so  as  to  draw  up  the  head  more  evenly.  In  other 
cases  a  noose  may  be  placed  on  the  upper  jaw,  or  even  around  both 
jaws,  and  traction  made  upon  this  and  on  the  hooks  in  the  orbits  while 
the  legs  are  pushed  back,  and  while  the  operator  pushes  back  on  the 
poll  or  forehead.  In  still  more  difficult  cases  in  which  even  the  orbits 
can  not  be  reached  a  sharp  hook  on  the  end  of  a  straight  iron  rod  (Plate 
xx,  Fig.  2)  may  be  inserted  over  the  lower  jaw  as  far  forward  as  it  can 
be  reached,  and  by  dragging  upon  this  while  the  body  is  pushed  back 
the  head  will  be  brought  up  sufficiently  to  allow  the  operator  to  reach 
the  orbit  or  nose.  If  even  the  jaw  can  not  be  reached  the  hook  may  be 
inserted  in  the  neck  as  near  to  the  head  as  possible  and  traction  em- 
ployed so  as  to  bring  the  head  within  peach. 

In  all  such  cases  the  cow's  head  should  be  turned  downhill,  and  in 
case  of  special  difficulty  she  should  be  turned  on  her  back  and  held 
there  until  the  head  is  secured.  In  old  standing  cases,  with  the  womb 
closely  clasping  the  body  of  the  calf,  relaxation  may  be  sought  by  the 
use  of  chloroform  or  a  full  dose  of  chloral  hydrate,  2  ounces;  and  the 
free  injection  of  warm  water  into  the  womb  will  also  be  useful. 

HEAD  TURNED  BACK  ON  THE  SHOULDER. 

With  a  natural  anterior  presentation  this  may  happen  because  of  the 
imperfect  dilatation  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb.  Under  the  throes  of 
the  mother  the  fore  feet  pass  through  the  narrow  opening  into  the 
vagina,  while  the  nose  striking  against  it,  and  unable  to  enter,  is  pressed 
backward  into  the  womb  and  turns  aside  on  the  right  or  left  shoulder. 
The  broad  muzzle  of  the  calf  forms  an  especial  obstacle  to  entrance 
and  favors  this  deviation  of  the  head.  The  worst  form  of  this  devia- 
tion is  the  old  standing  one  with  shortening  of  the  muscles  of  the  neck 
on  that  side,  and  oftentimes  distortion  of  the  face  and  neck  bones,  as 
noticed  under  monstrosities. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  213 

When  the  head  is  bent  on  the  shoulder  the  feet  appear  in  the  natural 
way,  but  no  progress  is  made,  and  examination  reveals  the  absence  of 
the  nose  from  between  the  knees,  and  farther  back  from  above  and 
between  the  elbows  a  smooth  rounded  mass  is  felt  extending  to  the 
right  or  left,  which  further  examination  will  identify  with  the  neck. 
Following  the  upper  border  of  this  the  hand  reaches  the  crown  of  the 
head  witli  the  ears,  and  still  farther  the  eyes,  or  even  in  a  small  calf 
the  nose. 

As  the  bulky  head  of  the  calf  can  not  be  extracted  along  with  the 
shoulders  it  becomes  necessary  to  push  back  the  body  of  the  fetus  and 
straighten  out  the  head  and  neck.  The  cow  should  be  laid  with  its 
head  downhill  and  with  that  side  up  toward  which  the  head  is  turned. 
If  the  throes  are  very  violent,  or  the  womb  strongly  contracted  on  the 
calf,  it  may  be  best  to  seek  relaxation  by  giving  chloroform,  or  2  ounces 
of  laudanum,  or  2  ounces  chloral  hydrate.  If  the  calf  or  the  passages 
are  dry,  sweet  oil  may  be  injected,  or  the  whole  may  be  liberally  smeared 
with  fresh  lard.  In  the  absence  of  these,  warm  water  rendered  slightly 
slippery  by  castile  soap  may  be  injected  into  the  womb  in  quantity. 
Ropes  with  running  nooses  are  placed  on  the  presenting  feet  and  the 
oiled  hand  introduced  to  find  the  head.  If,  now,  the  fingers  can  be 
passed  inside  the  lower  jaw  bone,  and  drag  the  head  upward  and  toward 
the  passage,  it  unwinds  the  spiral  turn  given  to  the  neck  in  bending 
back,  and  greatly  improves  the  chances  of  bringing  forward  the  nose. 
If,  at  first,  or  if  now,  the  lower  jaw  can  be  reached,  a  noose  should  be 
placed  around  it  behind  the  incisor  teeth  and  traction  made  upon  this 
so  that  the  head  may  continue  to  be  turned,  forehead  up,  toward  the 
spine  and  jaws  down,  thereby  continuing  to  undo  the  screw  like  curve 
of  the  neck.  If,  on  the  contrary,  the  nose  is  dragged  upon  by  a  cord 
passing  over  the  upper  border  of  the  neck,  the  screw-like  twist  is 
increased  and  the  resistance  of  the  bones  and  joints  of  the  neck  pre- 
vents any  straightening  of  the  head.  As  soon  as  the  lower  jaw  has 
been  seized  by  the  hand  or  noose,  a  repeller  (Plate  xx,  Fig.  7),  planted  on 
the  inside  of  the  elbow  or  shoulder  most  distant  from  the  head,  should 
be  used  to  push  back  the  body  and  turn  it  in  the  womb  so  that  the 
head  may  be  brought  nearer  to  the  outlet.  In  this  way  the  head  can 
usually  be  brought  into  position  and  the  further  course  of  delivery  will 
be  natural. 

But  sometimes  the  lower  jaw  can  not  IK;  reached  with  the  hand,  and 
then  the  orbit  or,  less  desirably,  the  car,  may  be  availed  of.  The  ear 
may  be  pulled  by  the  hand,  and  by  the  aid  of  the  repeller  on  the  other 
shoulder  the  calf  may  be  so  turned  that  the  lower  jaw  maybe  reached 
and  availed  of.  Better  still,  a  clamp  (Plate  xvni.  Figs.  3  and  4)  is  firmly 
fixed  on  the  ear  and  pulled  by  a  rope,  while  the  repeller  is  used  on  the 
opposite  shoulder,  and  the  hand  of  the  operator  pulls  on  the  lower 
border  of  the  neck  and  lifts  it  toward  the  other  side.  To  pull  on  the 
upper  border  of  tl  e  neck  is  to  increase  the  spiral  twist,  while  to  raise 


214  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  lower  border  is  to  undo  it.  If  the  outer  orbit  can  be  reached,  the 
fingers  may  be  inserted  into  it  so  as  to  employ  traction,  or  a  blunt  fin- 
ger hook  (Plate  xxi,  Fig:.  8)  may  be  used,  or  a  hook  with  a  rope  attached, 
or.  finally,  a  hook  on  the  end  of  a  long  staff.  Ther,  with  the  assistance 
of  the  repeller,  the  body  may  be  so  turned  and  the  head  advanced  that 
the  lower  jaw  may  be  reached  and  availed  of. 

In  case  not  even  the  ears  nor  orbit  can  be  reached,  a  cord  should  be 
passed  around  the  neck  of  the  calf  as  near  to  the  head  as  possible,  and 
traction  made  upon  that  while  the  opposite  shoulder  is  pushed  toward 
the  opposite  side  by  the  repeller,  assisted  by  the  hand  dragging  on  the 
lower  border  of  the  neck.  To  aid  the  hand  in  passing  a  rope  round  the 
neck  a  cord-carrier  (Plate  xxi,  Fig.  5)  is  in  use.  It  fails,  however,  to 
help  us  in  the  most  difficult  part  of  the  operation,  the  passing  of  the 
cord  down  on  the  deep  or  farthest  side  of  the  neck,  and,  to  remedy  this, 
I  have  devised  a  cord-carrier,  furnished  with  a  ring  at  the  end,  a  joint 
6  or  8  inches  from  the  end,  and  another  ring  on  the  handle,  close  to  this 
joint.  (Plate  xx.  Fig.  4.)  A  cord  is  passed  through  both  rings  and  a 
knot  tied  on  its  end,  just  back  of  the  terminal  ring.  The  instrument, 
straightened  out,  is  inserted  until  it  reaches  just  beyond  the  upper 
border  of  the  neck,  when,  by  dragging  on  the  cord  the  movable  segment 
is  bent  down  on  the  farther  side  of  the  neck,  and  is  pushed  on  until  it 
can  be  felt  at  its  lower  border.  The  hand  now  seizes  the  knotted  end 
of  the  cord  beneath  the  lower  border  of  the  neck  and  pulls  it  through 
while  the  carrier  is  withdrawn,  the  cord  sliding  through  its  rings.  The 
cord,  pushed  up  as  near  to  the  head  as  possible,  is  furnished  with  a 
running  noose  by  tying  the  knotted  end  round  the  other,  or  better,  the 
two  ends  are  twisted  around  each  other  so  as  to  give  a  firm  hold  on  the 
neck  without  dangerously  compressing  the  blood  vessels.  By  pushing 
on  the  opposite  shoulder  with  the  repeller,  and  assisting  with  the  hand 
on  shoulder,  breastbone,  or  lower  border  of  the  neck,  such  a  change  of 
position  will  be  secured  as  will  speedily  bring  the  head  within  reach. 
Afterward  proceed  as  described  above. 

These  cases  are  always  trying,  but  it  is  very  rarely  necessary  to 
resort  to  einbryotomy.  When  absolutely  required  first  remove  one 
fore  limb,  and  then,  if  still  unsuccessful,  the  other,  after  which  the 
head  can  easily  be  secured.  (See  Embryotomy,  p.  222.) 

HEAD  TURNED  UPWARD  AKD  BACKWARD. 

In  this  case  the  face  rests  upon  the  spine ;  the  fore  feet  appear  alone 
in  the  passage,  but  fail  to  advance,  and  on  examination  the  rounded 
inferior  border  of  the  neck  can  be  felt,  extending  upward  and  back- 
ward beneath  the  spine  of  the  dam,  and  if  the  calf  is  not  too  large  the 
hand  may  reach  the  lower  jaw  or  even  the  muzzle.  (Plate  xn,  Fig.  5.) 

A  repeller  is  planted  in  the  breast  and  the  body  of  the  calf  pushed 
backward  and  downward  so  as  to  make  room  and  bring  the  head  nearer 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  215 

to  the  passage.  Or  in  some  cases  the  body  may  be  pushed  back  suf- 
ficiently by  the  use  of  the  fore  limbs  alone.  Meanwhile  the  head  is  seixed 
by  the  ear  or  the  eye  socket,  or,  if  it  cau  be  reached,  by  the  lower  jaw, 
and  pulled  downward  into  position  as  space  is  secured  for  it.  If  the 
hand  alone  is  insufficient  the  blunt  hooks  may  be  inserted  in  the  orbits 
or  in  the  angle  of  the  month,  or  a  noose  may  be  placed  on  the  lower 
jaw.  and  by  traction  the  head  will  be  easily  advanced.  In  case  of  a 
large  fetus,  the  head  of  which  is  beyond  reach,  even  when  traction  is 
made  on  the  limbs,  a  rope  may  be  passed  around  the  neck  and  pulled, 
while  the  breast-bone  is  pressed  downward  and  backward  by  the 
rcpcller,  and  soon  the  change  of  position  will  bring  the  orbit  or  lower 
jaw  within  reach.  With  the  above  position  the  standing  position  is 
most  favorable  for  success.  But  if  the  calf  is  placed  with  its  back 
down  toward  the  udder,  and  if  the  head  is  bent  down  under  the  brim 
of  the  pelvis,  the  best  position  for  the  cow  is  on  her  back,  with  her 
head  downhill. 

In  neglected  cases,  with  death  and  putrefaction  of  the  fetus  and 
dry  ness  of  the  passages,  it  may  be  necessary  to  extract  in  pieces.  (See 
Embryotomy.) 

OUTWARD  DIRECTION   OF   THE    STIFLES — ABDUCTION   OF    HIND  LIMBS. 

As  an  obstacle  to  parturition,  this  is  rare  in  cows.  It  is  most  likely 
to  take  pl;«-e  in  cows  with  narrow  hip  bones,  and  when  the  service  has 
been  PKU  le  1  »y  a  bull  having  great  breadth  across  the  quarter.  The  calf, 
taking  a H  er  the  sire,  presents  an  obstacle  to  calving  in  the  breadth  of  its 
quarters;  and  if  at  the  same  time  the  toes  and  stifles  are  turned  exces- 
sively outward  and  the  hocks  inward  the  combined  breadth  of  the  hip 
bones  above  and  the  stifles  below  may  be  so  great  that  the  pelvis  will 
not  easily  admit  them.  After  the  fore  feet,  head,  and  shoulders  have  all 
•  •d  out  through  the  vulva  further  progress  suddenly  and  unaccount- 
ably ceases,  and  some  dragging  on  the  parts  already  delivered  does  not 
serve  to  bring  away  the  hind  parts.  The  oiled  hand  introduced  along 
the  side  of  the  calf  will  discover  the  obstacle  on  the  stifle  joints  turned 
directly  outward  and  projecting  on  each  side  beyond  the  bones  which 
circumscribe  laterally  the  front  entrance  of  the  pelvis.  The  evident 
need  is  to  turn  the  stifles  inward,  and  this  may  be  attempted  by  the 
hand  introduced  by  the  side  of  the  calf,  which  is  meanwhile  rotated 
gently  on  its  own  axis  to  favor  the  change  of  position.  To  correct  the 
deviation  of  the  hind  limb  is,  however,  very  diflicnlt,  as  the  limbs  them- 
selves arc  out  of  reach  and  can  not  be  used  as  levers  to  assist  If  noth- 
ing can  be  done  by  pushing  back  the  body  of  the  calf  and  rotating  it, 
and  by  pressure  by  the  hand  in  the  passages,  the  only  resort  appears 
to  be  to  skin  the  calf  from  the  shoulder  back,  cut  it  in  two  as  far  hack 
as  can  be  reached,  then  push  the  buttocks  well  forward  into  the  womb 
and  bring  up  the  hind  feet  and  so  deliver. 


216  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

THE   HIND   LIMBS   EXCESSIVELY   BENT    ON   THE   BOI-Y  AND     ENGAGED 

IN   THE    PELVIS. 

In  this  case  tlie  presentation  is  apparently  a  normal  anterior  one; 
fore  limbs  and  head  advance  naturally  and  the  parturition  proceeds 
until  half  the  chest  has  passed  through  the  external  passages,  when 
suddenly  progress  ceases  and  no  force  will  secure  farther  advance.  An 
examination  with  oiled  hand  detects  the  presence  in  the  passages  of 
the  hind  feet  and  usually  the  hind  legs  up  to  above  the  hocks.  (Plate 
xvii,  Fig.  1.) 

The  indications  for  treatment  are  to  return  the  hind  limbs  into  the 
body  of  the  womb.  If  they  have  not  advanced  too  far  into  the  pelvis 
this  may  be  done  as  follows :  A  rope  with  running  noose  is  passed  over 
each  hind  foot  and  drawn  tight  around  the  lower  part  of  the  hock  • 
the  ropes  are  then  passed  through  the  two  rings  in  the  small  end  of 
the  rotating  instrument  (Plate  xx,  Fig.  5)  which  is  slid  into  the  pas- 
sages until  it  reaches  the  hocks,  when  the  ropes,  drawn  tight,  are  tied 
round  the  handle  of  the  instrument.  Then  in  the  intervals  between 
the  pains  the  hocks  are  pushed  forcibly  back  into  the  womb.  If  by 
this  means  flexion  can  be  effected  in  hocks  and  stifles  success  will  fol- 
low ;  the  hind  feet  will  pass  into  the  womb  and  clear  of  the  brim  of 
the  pelvis,  and  the  body  may  now  be  advanced  without  hindrance,  the 
hind  limbs  falling  into  place  when  the  hip  joints  are  extended.  At  the 
same  time  the  pressure  upon  hind  limbs  must  not  be  relaxed  until  the 
buttocks  are  engaged  in  the  pelvis,  as  otherwise  the  feet  may  again  get 
over  the  brim  and  arrest  the  progress  of  delivery. 

When  the  hind  limbs  are  already  so  jammed  into  the  pelvis  that  it  is 
impossible  to  return  them,  the  calf  must  be  sacrificed  to  save  the  mother. 
Cords  with  running  nooses  are  first  put  on  the  two  hind  feet.  The 
body  must  be  skinned  from  the  shoulders  back  as  far  as  can  be  reached, 
and  is  to  be  then  cut  in  two,  if  possible,  back  of  the  last  rib.  The 
remainder  of  the  trunk  is  now  pushed  back  into  the  body  of  the  womb, 
and  by  traction  upon  the  cords  the  hind  feet  are  brought  up  into  the 
passages,  and  the  extraction  will  be  comparatively  easy. 

HIND   PRESENTATION   WITH   ONE   Oil  BOTH   LEGS   BENT  AT  THE  HOCK. 

After  the  bursting  of  the  water  bags,  though  labor  pains  continue, 
no  part  of  the  fetus  appears  at  the  vulva  unless  it  be  the  end  of  the 
tail.  On  examination  the  buttocks  are  felt  wedged  against  the  spine 
at  the  entrance  of  the  pelvis,  and  beneath  them  the  bent  hock  joints 
resting  on  the  brim  of  the  pelvis  below.  (Plate  xvii,  Fig.  3.)  The  calf 
had  been  caught  by  the  labor  pains  while  the  limb  was  bent  beneath 
it,  and  has  been  jammed  into  or  against  the  rim  of  the  pelvis  so  that 
extension  of  the  limb  became  impossible.  With  the  thigh  bent  on  the 
flank,  the  leg  on  the  thigh,  and  the  shank  on  the  leg,  and  all  at  once 
wedged  into  the  passage,  delivery  is  practically  impossible. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  217 

The  obvious  remedy  is  to  push  the  croup  upward  and  forward  and 
extend  the  hind  legs,  and  in  the  early  stages  this  can  usually  be  accom- 
plished in  the  cow.  A  repeller  (Plate  xx,  Fig.  7)  is  planted  across  the 
thighs  and  pointed  upward  toward  the  spine  of  the  cow,  and  pushed 
forcibly  in  this  direction  during  the  intervals  between  labor  pains. 
Meanwhile  the  oiled  hand  seizes  the  shank  just  below  the  hock  and 
uses  it  as  a  lever,  pushing  back  the  body  and  drawing  forward  the  foot, 
thus  effectually  seconding  the  action  of  the  repeller.  Soon  a  distinct 
gain  is  manifest,  and  as  soon  as  the  foot  can  be  reached  it  is  bent  back 
strongly  at  the  fetlock,  held  in  the  palm  of  the  hand  and  pulled  up, 
while  the  repeller,  pressing  on  the  buttocks,  assists  to  make  room  for 
it.  In  this  way  the  foot  may  be  brought  safely  and  easily  over  the 
brim  of  the  pelvis  without  any  risk  of  laceration  of  the  womb  by  the 
foot.  After  the  foot  has  been  lifted  over  the  brim  the  whole  limb  can 
be  promptly  and  easily  extended.  In  cases  presenting  special  difficulty 
in  raising  the  foot  over  the  brim,  help  may  be  had  by  traction  on  a  rope 
passed  around  in  front  of  the  hock,  and  later  still  by  a  rope  with  a  noose 
fastened  to  the  pastern.  In  the  worst  cases,  with  the  buttocks  and 
hocks  wedged  deeply  ink)  the  passages,  it  may  prove  difficult  or  impossi- 
ble to  push  the  buttocks  back  into  the  abdomen,  and  in  such  a  case  the 
extension  of  the  hind  limb  is  practically  impossible  without  mutilation. 
In  some  roomy  cows  a  calf  may  be  dragged  through  the  passages  by 
ropes  attached  to  the  bent  hocks,  but  even  when  this  is  possible  there 
is  great  risk  of  laceration  of  the  floor  of  the  vagina  by  the  feet.  The 
next  resort  is  to  cut  the  hamstring  just  below  the  point  of  the  hock  and 
the  tendon  on  the  front  of  the'limb  (flexor  metatarsi)  just  above  the 
hock,  and  even  the  sinews  behind  the  shank  bone  just  below  the  hock. 
This  allows  the  stifle  and  hock  to  move  independently  of  each  other,  the 
one  undergoing  extension  without  entailing  the  extension  of  the  other; 
it  also  allows  both  joints  to  flex  completely,  so  that  the  impacted  mass 
can  pass  through  a  narrower  channel.  If  now,  by  dragging  on  the 
hocks  and  operating  with  the  repeller  on  the  buttocks,  the  latter  can 
be  tilted  forward  sufficiently  to  allow  of  the  extension  of  the  stifle,  the 
jam  will  be  at  once  overcome,  and  the  calf  may  be  extracted  with  the 
hock  bent,  but  the  stifle  extended.  If  even  this  can  not  be  accom- 
plished it  may  now  be  possible  to  extract  the  whole  mass  with  lx>th 
hocks  and  stifles  fully  bent.  To  attempt  this,  traction  may  bo  made  on 
the  rope  around  the  hocks  and  on  a  sharp  hook  (Plate  xx,  Fig.  2)  passed 
forward  between  the  thighs  and  hooked  on  to  the  brim  of  the  pelvis. 
Everything  else  failing,  the  offending  limb  or  limbs  may  be  cut  off  at 
the  hip  joint  and  extracted,  after  which  extraction  may  proceed  by 
dragging  on  the  remaining  limb,  or  by  hooks  on  the  hip  bones.  Very 
little  is  to  be  gained  by  cutting  off  the  limb  at  the  hock,  and  the  stifle 
is  less  accessible  tlrin  the  hip,  and  amputation  at  the.stifle  gives  much 
poorer  results. 


218  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

HIM)  LI>1BSBENT  FORWABD  FROM  THE  HIP — BREECH  PRESENTATION. 

This  is  an  exaggeration  of  the  condition  last  described.,  only  the  hocks 
and  stifles  are  fully  extended  and  the  whole  limb  carried  forward 
beneath  the  belly.  (Plate  xvn,  Fig.  2.)  The  water-bags  appear  and 
burst,  but  nothing  presents  unless  it  may  be  the  tail.  Examination  in 
this  ease  detects  the  outline  of  the  buttocks  with  the  tail  and  anus  at 
its  upper  part. 

The  remedy,  as  in  the  case  last  described,  consists  in  pushing  the 
buttock  upward  and  forward  with  a  repeller,  the  cow  being  kept  stand- 
ing and  headed  down  hil!7  until  the  thigh  bone  can.  be  reached,  and  used 
as  a  lever.  Its  upper  end  is  pushed  forward  and  its  lower  end  raised 
until  the  joints  becoming  fully  flexed,  the  point  of  the  hock  can  be  raised 
above  the  brim  of  the  pelvis.  If  necessary  a  noose  may  be  passed 
around  the  leg  as  far  down  toward1  the  hock  as  possible  and  pulled  on 
forcibly,  while  the  hand  presses  forward  strongly  on  the  back  of  the  leg 
above.  When  both  hocks  have  been  lodged  above  the  brim  of  the 
pelvis  the  further  procedure  is  as  described  under  the  last  heading. 

If,  however,  the  case  is  advanced  and  the  buttocks  wedged  firmly  into 
the  passages,  it  may  be  impossible  to  safely  push  it  back  into- the  womb, 
and  the  calf  must  either  be  dragged  through  the  passage  as  it  is  or  the 
limbs  or  pelvis  must  be  cut  off.  To  successfully  extract  with  a  breech 
presentation,  the  cow  must  be  large  and  roomy  and  the  calf  not  too 
large.  The  first  step  in  this  case  is  to  separate  the  pelvic  bones  on  the 
two  sides  by  cutting  from  before  backward,  exactly  in  the  median  line 
below  and  where  the  thighs  come  together  above.  This  may  be  done 
with  a  strong  embryotomy  knife,  but  is  most  easily  accomplished 
with  the  long  einbryotonie.  (Plate  xx,  Fig.  3.)  The  form  which  I  have 
designed  (Plate  xx,  Fig.  1),  with  a  short  cutting  branch  jointed  to  the 
in  a  in  stem,  is  to  be  preferred,  as  the  short  cutting  piece  may  be  folded 
on  the  main  stem  so  that  its  cutting  edge  will  be  covered,  and  it  can  be 
introduced  and  extracted  Avithout  danger.  This  is  pushed  forward 
beneath  the  calf's  belly,  and  the  cutting  arm  opened  and  inserted  in 
front  of  the  brim  of  the  pelvis  and  pulled  forcibly  back  through  the 
whole  length  of  the  pelvic  bones.  The  divided  edges  are  now  made  to 
overlap  each  other  and  the  breadth  of  the  haunch  is  materially  reduced. 
One  end  of  the  cord  may  then  be  passed  forward  by  means  of  a  cord- 
carrier  (Plate  xxi,  Fig.  5),  on  the  inner  side  of  one  thigh  until  it  can  be 
seized  at  the  stifle  by  the  hand  passed  forward  on  the  outer  side  of  that 
thigh.  This  end  is  now  pulled  back  through  the  vagina,  and  the  other 
end  passed  through  the  cord-carrier  and  passed  forward  on  the  inner 
side  of  the  other  thigh  until  it  can  be  seized  at  the  stifle  by  the  hand 
passed  forward  outside  that  thigh.  This  end  is  drawn  back  through 
the  vagina  like  the  first,  and  is  tied  around  the  other  so  as  to  form  a 
running  noose.  The  rope  is  now  drawn  through  the  ring  until  it  forms 
a  tight  loop,  encircling  the  belly  just  in  front  of  the  hind  limbs.  On  this 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  219 

si  roii*,'  tract  ion  can  IK-  made  without  interfering  with  the  full  flexion  of  the 

limbs  on  the  body,  and  if  the  ease  is  a  suitable  one,  and  the  body  of  the 

and  the  passages  are  both  well  lubricated  with  oil  or  lard,  a  suc- 

;'M!  parturition  may  be  accomplished.     A  less  desirable  method  is  to 

put  a  rope  round  one  thigh  or  a  rope  round  each  and  drag  upon  these, 

but  manifestly  the  strain  is  not  so  directly  on  the  spine,  and  the  limbs 

may  be  somewhat  hampered  in  flexion. 

This  method  being  inapplicable,  the  next  resort  is  to  cut  off  one  or 
both  hind  limbs  at  the  hip  joint.  Free  incisions  are  made  on  the  side 
of  the  haunch  so  as  to  expose  the  hip  joint,  and  the  muscles  are  cut  a- way 
from  the  head  of  the  thigh  bone  down  to  its  narrow  neck,  around  which 
a  rope  is  passed  and  firmly  fixed  with  a  running  noose.  The  joint  is 
now  cut  into  all  around,  and  while  traction  is  made  on  the  cord  the 
kuife  is  inserted  into  the  inner  side  of  the  joint  and  the  round  ligament 
severed.  The  cord  may  now  be  dragged  upon  forcibly,  and  the  muscles 
and  other  parts  cut  through  as  they  are  drawn  tense,  until  finally  the 
whole  meml>er  has  been  extracted.  Traction  on  the  rope  round  the 
other  thigh  will  now  suffice  to  extract,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  but  if  it 
should  fail  the  other  limb  may  be  cut  off  in  the  same  manner,  and  then 
hoojcs  inserted  in  front  of  the  brim  of  the  pelvis. or  in  the  openings  in 
the  bones  of  its  floor  (obturator  foramina)  will  give  sufficient  purchase 
for  extraction.  Another  method  is  to  insert  a  knife  between  the  bone 
of  the  rump  (sacrum)  and  the  hip  bone  and  sever  their  connections; 
then  cut  through  the  joint  (symphysis)  between  the  two  hip  bones  in  the 
median  line  of  the  floor  of  the  pelvis,  and  then  with  a  hook  in  the  open- 
ing on  the  pelvic  bones  (obturator  foramen)  to  drag  upon  the  limb  and 
cut  the  tense  soft  parts  until  the  limb  is  freed  and  extracted. 

PRESENTATION    OF    THE   BACK. 

In  this  presentation  straining  may  be  active,  but  after  the  rupture  of 
the  water-bags  no  progress  is  made,  and  the  hand  introduced  will 
recognize  the  back  with  its  row  of  spinous  processes  and  the  springing 
ribs  at  each  side  pressed  against  the  entrance  to  the  pelvis.  (Plate  xvn, 
Fig.  6.)  The  presence  or  absence  of  the  ribs  will  show  whether  it  is 
the  region  of  the  chest  or  the  loins.  Hy  feeling  along  the  line  of  spines 
until  the  ribs  are  met  with  we  shall  learn  that  the  head  lies  in  that 
direction.  If,  on  the  contrary,  we  follow  the  ribs  until  they  disappear, 
and  a  blank  space  is  succeeded  by  hip  bones,  it  shows  that  we  .are 
approaching  the  tail.  The  head  may  be  turned  upward,  downward, 
to  the  right  side  or  to  the  left. 

The  object  must  be  to  turn  the  fetus  so  that  one  extremity  or  the 
other  can  enter  the  passage,  and  the  choice  of  which  end  to  bring  for- 
ward will  depend  on  various  considerations.  If  one  end  is  much  nearer 
the  outlet  than  the  other,  that  would  naturally  be  selected  for  extrac- 
tion, but  if  Iwth  ends  are  equidistant  the  choice  would  fall  on  the  hind 
end,  as  having  only  the  two  limbs  to  deal  with,  without  any  risk  of 


220  DISEASES    OF    CATTLK. 

complication  from  the  head.  When  the  head  is  turned  upward  and 
forward  it  will  usually  be  preferable  to  bring  up  the  hind  limb,  since, 
owing  to  the  drooping  of  the  womb  into  the  abdomen,  rotation  of  the 
fetus  will  usually  be  easier  in  that  direction,  and  if  successful  the 
resulting  position  will  be  a  natural  posterior  presentation,  with  the 
back  of  the  calf  turned  toward  the  rump  of  the  cow.  Similarly  with 
the  croup  turned  upward  and  forward,  that  should  be  pushed  on  for. 
ward,  and  if  the  forefeet  and  head  can  be  secured  it  will  be  a  natural 
anterior  presentation  with  the  back  of  the  calf  turned  upward  toward 
the  rump  of  the  cow. 

The  womb  should*  be  injected  with  warm  water  or  oil,  and  the  turn- 
ing of  the  calf  will  demand  the  combined  action  of  the  repeller  and  the 
hand,  but  in  all  such  cases  the  operator  has  an  advantage  that  the  body 
of  the  fetus  is  wholly  within  the  body  of  the  womb,  and  therefore  mov- 
able with  comparative  ease.  Xo  part  is  wedged  into  the  pelvic  pas- 
sages as  a  complication.  The  general  principles  are  the  same  as  in 
faulty  presentations  fore  and  hind,  and  no  time  should  be  lost  in  mak- 
ing the  manipulations  necessary  to  bring  the  feet  into  the  pelvis,  lest 
they  get  in  bent  or  otherwise  displaced  and  add  unnecessary  complica- 
tions. 

With  a  transverse  direction  of  the  calf,  the  head  being  turned  to  one 
side,  the  pressure  must  be  directed  laterally,  so  that  the  body  will 
glide  around  on  one  side  of  the  womb,  and  the  extremities  when  reached 
must  be  promptly  seized  and  broiight  into  the  passages.  Sometimes  s 
fortunate  struggle  of  a  live  fetus  will  greatly  aid  in  rectifying  tht 
position. 

BREAST  AND  ABDOMEN  PRESENTED — ALL  FOUR  FEET  IN  THE  PASSAGES. 

In  this  form  the  calf  lies  across  the  womb  with  its  reached  back 
turned  forward  and  its  belly  toward  the  pelvis.  All  four  feet  may  be 
extended  and  engaged  in  the  passages,  or  one  or  more  may  be  bent  on 
themselves  so  as  to  lie  in  front  of  the  pelvis.  The  head,  too,  may  usu- 
ally be  felt  on  the  right  side  or  the  left,  and  if  detected  it  serves  to 
identify  the  exact  position  of  the  fetus.  The  position  may  further  be 
decided  upon  by  examination  of  the  feet  and  limbs.  With  the  limbs 
extended  the  front  of  the  hoofs  and  the  convex  aspect  of  the  bent  pas- 
terns and  fetlocks  will  look  toward  that  flank  in  which  lie  the  head  and 
shoulders.  On  examination  still  higher  the  smooth,  even  outline  of  the 
knee  and  its  bend,  looking  toward  the  hind  parts,  characterize  the  fore 
limb,  while  the  sharp  prominence  of  the  point  of  the  hock  and  the  bend 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  joint,  looking  toward  the  head,  indicate  the 
hind  limb.  (Plate  xvn,  Fig.  5.) 

The  remedy  for  this  condition  is  to  be  sought  in  repelling  into  the 
womb  those  limbs  that  are  least  eligible  for  extraction,  and  bringing 
into  the  passages  the  most  eligible  extremities.  The  most  eligible  will 
usually  be  those  which  project  farthest  into  the  passages,  indicating 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  221 

the  nearer  proximity  of  that  end  of  the  calf.  An  exception  may,  how- 
ever, be  made  in  favor  of  that  extremity  which  will  give  the  most  nat- 
ural presentation.  Thus  if,  owing  to  obliquity  in  the  position  of  the 
fetus,  the  hind  extremities  promised  a  presentation  with  the  back  of 
the  fetus  turned  down  toward  the  udder,  and  the  anterior  extremities 
one  with  the  back  turned  up  toward  the  spine,  the  latter  should  be 
selected.  Again,  if  the  choice  for  the  two  extremities  is  evenly  bal- 
anced, the  hind  may  be  chosen  as  offering  less  risk  of  complication, 
there  being  no  head  to  get  displaced. 

Treatment. — The  first  step  in  the  treatment  is  to  place  a  running 
noose  on  each  of  the  four  feet,  marking  those  of  the  fore  limbs  to  dis- 
tinguish them  from  those  of  the  hind.  In  case  it  is  proposed  to  bring 
the  anterior  extremities  into  the  passage,  a  noose  should  also  be  placed 
en  the  lower  jaw.  Then  run  the  ropes  attached  to  the  two  feet  that 
are  to  be  pushed  back  through  the  ring  of  a  cord-carrier  (Plate  xxi,  Fig. 
5).  passing  the  rings  down  to  the  feet,  and  by  the  aid  of  the  carrier 
push  them  well  back  into  the  womb  and  hold  them  there.  Meanwhile 
drag  upon  the  ropes  attached  to  the  two  other  feet  so  as  to  bring  them 
into  the  passage  (or  in  case  of  the  anterior  extremity  on  the  two  foot 
ropes  and  the  head  one).  The  other  feet  must  be  pushed  back  into  the 
womb  until  the  body  of  the  calf  is  fully  engaged  in  the  passages. 
After  this  they  can  no  longer  find  an  entrance,  but  must  follow  as  the 
body  escapes. 

NEGLECTED  AND  AGGRAVATED  CASES. 

In  laying  down  the  above  rules  for  giving  assistance  in  critical  cases 
of  calving  it  is  not  intimated  that  all  cases  and  stages  can  be  success- 
fully dealt  with.  Too  often  assistance  is  not  sought  for  many  hours  or 
even  days  after  labor  pains  and  the  escape  of  the  waters  intimate  the 
danger  of  delay,  and  not  seldom  the  lorig  delay  has  been  filled  up  with 
unintelligent  and  injurious  attempts  at  rendering  assistance,  violent 
pulling  when  resistence  is  insurmountable  without  change  of  position, 
injuries  to  the  vagina  and  womb  by  ill-considered  but  too  forcibly  exe- 
cuted attempts  to  change  the  position,  the  repeated  and  long  continued 
contact  with  rough  hands  and  rougher  ropes  and  hooks,  the  gashes 
with  knives  and  lacerations  with  instruments  in  ignorant  hands,  the 
infecting  material  introduced  on  filthy  hands  and  instruments,  and  the 
septic  inflammations  started  in  the  now  diy  and  tender  passages  and 
womb,  and  not  (infrequently  the  death,  putrefaction,  and  bloating  of 
the  calf  in  the  womb,  rendering  the  case  extremely  unpromising,  and 
making  it  impossible  to  successfully  apply  many  of  the  measures  above 
recommended.  The  labor  pains  of  the  cow  may  have  practically  ceased 
from  exhaustion ;  the  passages  of  the  vagina  may  be  so  dry,  tender, 
friable,  red,  and  swollen  that  it  requires  considerable  eft'ort  even  to  pass 
the  oiled  hand  through  them,  and  the  extraction  of  the  calf  or  any  por- 
tion of  it  through  .inch  a  channel  seemn  a  hopeless  tusk;  the  womb 


222  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

way  be  equally  dry  and  inflamed  and  swollen,  so  tlu.t  its  lining-  mem- 
brane or  even  its  entire  thickness  is  easily  torn,-  the  fetal  membranes 
have  lost  their  natural  unctuous  and  slippery  character,  and  cling 
firmly  to  the  dry  walls  of  the  womb,  to  the  dry  skin  of  the  calf,  or  to 
the  hands  of  the  operator;  the  dead  and  putrefying  calf  may  be  so 
bloated  with  gases  that  the  womb  has  been  overdistended  by  its  pres- 
ence, and  the  two  adhere  so  closely  that  the  motion  of  the  one  on  the 
other  is  practically  impovssible.  In  other  cases  reckless  attempts  to 
cut  the  calf  in  pieces  have  left  raw  surfaces  with  projecting  bones 
which  dangerously  scratch  and  tear  the  womb  and  passages. 

In  many  cases  the  extreme  resort  must  be  had  of  cutting  the  fetus 
to  pieces  (embryotomy),  or  the  still  more  redoubtable  one  of  Csesarean 
section  (extraction  through  the  flank). 

DISSECTION    OF   THE   UNBORN   CALF — EMBRYOTOMY. 

In  some  cases  the  dissection  of  the  calf  is  the  only  feasible  means  of 
delivering  it  through  the  natural  passages,  and  while  it  is  especially 
applicable  to  the  dead  calf,  it  is  also  on  occasions  called  for  in  the  case 
of  the  living.  As  a  rule,  a  living  calf  should  be  preserved  if  possible, 
but  if  this  threatens  to  entail  the  death  of  the  cow,  it  is  only  in  the  case 
of  offspring  of  rare  value  that  its  presentation  is  to  be  preferred.  To 
those  acquainted  with  the  toil,  fatigue,  and  discomfort  of  embryotomy, 
no  dissuasion  is  necessary  so  long  as  there  is  a  prospect  of  success  from 
the  simple  and  generally  easier  method  of  rectifying  the  faulty  position 
of  the  calf.  But  when  the  correction  of  the  position  is  manifestly 
impossible,  when  distortions  and  monstrosities  of  the  fetus  successfully 
obstruct  delivery;  when  the  pelvic  passages  are  seriously  contracted 
by  fractures  and  bony  growths;  when  the  passages  are  virtually  almost 
closed  by  swelling,  or  when  the  calf  is  dead  and  excessively  swollen, 
no  other  resort  may  be  available.  In  many  cases  of  distortion  and 
displacement  the  dismemberment  of  the  entire  calf  is  unnecessary,  the 
removal  of  the  offending  member  being  all  that  is  required.  It  will  be 
convenient,  therefore,  to  describe  the  various  suboperations  one  by 
one,  and  in  the  order  in  which  they  are  usually  demanded. 

AMPUTATION   OF   THE   FORE   IJMD. 

In  cutting  off  a  fore  limb  it  is  the  one  presenting  that  should  be 
selected,  since  it  is  much  nu>re  easily  operated  on,  and  its  complete 
removal  from  the  side  of  the  chest  affords  so  much  more  space  for 
manipulation  that  it  is  not  often  difficult  to  bring  the  missing  limb  or 
head  into  position.  The  first  consideration  is  to  skin  the  limb  from  the 
fetlock  up  and  leave  the  skin  attached  to  the  body.  The  reasons  for 
tli is  are:  (a)  That  the  skin  is  the  most  resistant  structure  of  the  limb, 
and  when  it  has  been  removed  the  entire  limb  can  be  easily  detached ; 
(b)  the  tough  skir  left  from  the  amputated  limb  may  be  used  as  a  cord 


DISEASES    OP    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  223 

in  subsequent  traction  on  the  body  of  the  calf;  (c)  the  dissection  and 
separation  of  the  limb  are  far  more  safely  accomplished  under  the  pro- 
tection of  the  enveloping  skin  than  if  the  operator's  hands  and  instru- 
ments were  in  direct  contact  with  the  walls  of  the  passages  or  womb; 
(d)  the  dissection  can  be  much  more  easily  effected  while  the  skin  is 
stretched  by  the  left  hand  so  as  to  form  a  comparatively  firmer  resist- 
ant point  for  the  knife  than  when  it  is  attempted  to  cut  the  soft, yield- 
ing, and  elastic  tissues  which  naturally  offer  little  solid  resistance, 
but  constantly  recede  before  the  cutting  edge  of  the  instrument  The 
pivM'i-vafion  of  the  skin  is,  therefore,  &  cardinal  principle  in  the  ampu- 
tation of  all  parts  in  winch  it  is  at  all  feasible. 

The  presenting  foot  is  inclosed  in  a  noose  and  drawn  well  out  of  the 
pomgM.  Then  a  circular  incision  through  :':<  skmfeBUfe  ;ir«;n:d 
the  limb  just  above  the  fetlock.  From  this  the  skin  is  slit  up  on  the 
inner  side  of  the  limb  to  the  breast.  Then  the  projecting  part  of  the 
limb  is  skinned  up  to  the  vulva,  traction  being  made  on  the  foot  by  an 
-tant  so  as  to  expose  as  much  as  possible.  The  embryotomy  knife 
may  now  be  taken  (Plate  xxi,  Fig.  2),  and  a  small  hole  having  been  cut 
in  the  free  end  of  the  detached  portion  of  skin,  that  is  seized  by  the  left 
hand  and  extended  while  its  firm  connections  with  the  deeper  struc- 
tures are  cut  through.  The  looser  connections  can  be  more  quickly 
torn  through  with  the  closed  fist,  or  the  tips  of  the  four  fingers  held 
firmly  together  in  a  line,  or  with  the  spud,  of  which  there  are  several 
kinds.  Much  of  the  upper  "part  of  the  limb  can  be  skinned  more 
•lily  without  the  knife,  but  that  must  be  resorted  to  to  cut  across 
toiiirh  bands  whenever  these  interrupt  the  progress.  The  skinning 
should  bo  carried  upward  on  the  outer  side  of  the  shoulder  blade  to 
the  spine,  or  nearly  so.  Then  with  the  knife  the  muscles  attaching  the 
elbow  and  shoulder  to  the  breastbone  are  cut  across,  together  with 
those  on  the  inner  side  of  the  shoulder  joint,  and  in  front  and  behind 
it  so  far  as  these  can  be  reached.  Steady  traction  is  now  made  upon 
the  foot,  the  remaining  muscles  attaching  the  shoulder  blade  to  the 
trunk  are  torn  through  with  a  crackling  noise,  and  the  whole  limb, 
including  the  shoulder  blade  and  its  investing  muscles,  comes  away. 
If  the  shoulder  blade  is  left  the  bulk  of  the  chest  is  not  diminished, 
and  nothing  has  been  gained.  Before  going  farther  it  is  well  to  see 
whether  the  great  additional  space  thus  secured  in  the  passages  will 
allow  of  the  missing  limb  or  head  to  be  brought  into  position.  If  not, 
the  other  presenting  part  limb  or  head,  is  to  be  amputated  and 
extracted.  For  the  limb  the  procedure  is  a  repetition  of  that  just 
described. 

AMITTATION    OP    TIIR    IIKAI>. 

The  head  is  first  seized  and  drawn  well  forward,  or  even  outside  the 
vulva,  by  a  rope  with  a  running  noose  placed  around  the  lower  jaw  just 
behind  the  incisor  teeth,  by  a  sharp  hook  inserted  in  the  arch  of  the 


224  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

lower  jaw  behind  the  union  of  its  two  branches  and  bi'XJk  of  the  incisor 
teeth,  or  by  hooks  inserted  in  the  orbits,  or,  finally,  in  case  the  whole 
head  protrudes,  by  a  halter.  (Plate  xxi,  Fig.  4«  and  4fe.) 

In  case  the  whole  head  protrudes,  a  circular  incision  through  the  skin 
is  made  just  back  of  the  ear,  and  the  cut  edge  being  held  firmly  by  the 
left  hand,  the  neck  is  skinned  as  far  as  it  can  be  reached.  Then  the 
great  ligamentous  cord  above  the  spine  is  cut  across  at  the  farthest 
available  point,  together  with  the  muscles  above  and  below  the  spine. 
Strong  traction  on  the  head  will  then  detach  it  at  this  point  and  bring 
it  away,  but  should  there  still  be  too  much  resistance  the  knife  is 
inserted  between  the  bodies  of  two  vertebrae  just  behind  one  of  the 
prominent  points  felt  in  the  median  line  below,  and  their  connecting 
fibrous  cartilage  is  cut  through,  after  which  comparatively  moderate 
pulling  will  bring  it  away.  The  detached  neck  and  body  at  once  slip 
back  into  the  womb,  and  if  the  fore  limbs  are  now  brought  up  and 
pulled  they  are  advanced  so  far  upon  the  chest  that  the  transverse 
diameter  of  that  is  greatly  diminished,  and  delivery  correspondingly 
facilitated. 

If  the  head  is  still  inclosed  in  the  vagina  two  methods  are  availa- 
ble: (1)  The  removal  of  the  lower  jaw  and  subsequent  separation  of 
the  head  from  the  neck ;  (2)  the  skinning  of  the  whole  head  and  its 
separation  from  the  neck. 

To  remove  the  lower  jaw  the  skin  is  dissected  away  from  it  until  the 
throat  is  reached.  Then  the  muscles  of  the  cheeks  and  side  of  the  jaw 
(masseters)  are  cut  through  and  those  connecting  the  jaw  with  the 
neck.  When  traction  is  made  on  the  rope  round  the  lower  jaw  it  will 
usually  come  away  with  little  trouble.  Should  it  resist,  its  posterior 
extremity  on  each  side  (behind  the  grinding  teeth)  may  be  cut  through 
with  bone  forceps,  or  with  a  guarded  bone  chisel.  (Plate  xx,  Fig.  8.) 
After  the  removal  of  the  lower  jaw  the  way  will  be  open  to  separate 
the  head  from  the  neck,  the  knife  being  used  to  cut  into  the  first  or 
second  joint  from  below,  or  the  bone  forceps  or  chisel  being  employed 
to  cut  through  the  bones  of  the  neck.  Then  traction  is  made  on  the 
head  by  means  of  hooks  in  the  orbits,  and  the  hand,  armed  with  an 
embryotomy  knife,  is  introduced  to  cut  through  the  tense  resisting 
ligament  and  muscles  above  the  bones.  The  skin  and  the  strong  liga- 
mentous cord  attached  to  the  poll  are  the  essential  things  to  cut,  as  the 
muscles  can  easily  be  torn  across.  Unless  there  are  great  difficulties 
in  the  way  it  is  well  to  skin  the  head  from  the  eyes  back,  and  on  reach- 
ing the  poll  to  cut  through  the  ligament  and  then  bring  the  head  away 
by  pulling. 

If  it  is  decided  to  remove  the  entire  head  at  once,  it  may  be  skinned 
from  the  front  of  the  eyes  back  to  behind  the  lower  jaw  below  and  the 
poll  above,  then  cut  through  the  muscles  and  ligaments  around  the 
first  joint  and  pull  the  head  away,  assisting,  if  need  be  in  the  separa- 
tion of  the  head,  Ly  using  the  knife  on  the  ligament  of  the  joint. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  225 

If  the  calf  i.s  si  double-headed  monster  the  skimiiiig  of  the  head  must 
be  carried  backward  until  the  point  has  been  reached  where  both  heads 
branch  from  the  single  neck,  and  the  separation  must  be  made  at  that 
point.  The  muscles  and  ligaments  are  first  to  be  cut  through,  and  if 
the  part  cannot  then  be  detached  by  pulling,  the  bodies  of  the  vertebrae 
may  be  separated  by  passing  the  knife  through  the  joint.  The  second 
head  may  now  be  secured  by  a  noose  round  the  lower  jaw  or  hooks  in 
the  orbits  and  brought  up  into  place,  the  body  being  pushed  back  to  ward 
the  other  side  by  a  repeller  so  as  to  make  room. 

Jt  should  be  added  that,  excepting  in  the  case  of  a  double-headed 
monster,  or  in  case  of  the  head  protruding  or  nearly  so,  and  one  or  both 
fore  limbs  presenting,  it  is  rarely  desirable  to  undertake  amputation  of 
the  head.  The  space  desirable  in  the  passages  can  usually  be  seemed 
by  the  much  simpler  and  easier  procedure  of  removing  one  or  both  fore 
limbs. 

AMPUTATION    OK   THE   HIND   LIMBS. 

This  is  sometimes  demanded  on  the  one  extended  limb  when  the  other 
can  not  be  brought  up  and  delivery  can  not  be  effected ;  also  in  case  of 
monsters  having  extra  hind  limbs;  in  cases  where  the  calf  is  dead, 
putrid,  and  bloated  with  gas,  and  in  some  cases  of  breech  presentation 
as  described  under  that  head. 

When  the  limb  is  extended  the  guiding  principles  are  as  in  the  case 
of  the  fore  limbs.  The  skin  is  cut  through  circularly  sibove  the  fetlock 
and  slit  up  beneath  the  pelvic  bones  on  the  inner  side  of  the  thigh.  It 
is  then  dissected  from  the  other  parts  as  high  as  it  has  been  slit  on  the 
inner  side  and  to  above  the  prominence  (trochanter  major)  on  the  upper 
end  of  the  thigh  bone  on  the  outer  side  of  the  joint.  In  this  procedure 
the  hands  and  spud  can  do  much,  but  owing  to  the  firmer  connections 
the  knife  will  be  more  frequently  required  than  in  the  case  of  the  fore 
limb.  The  muscles  are  now  cut  through  sill  around  the  hip  joint  and 
strong  traction  is  made  by  two  or  three  men  on  the  limb.  If  there  is 
still  too  much  resistance  si  knife  .is  inserted  into  the  joint  on  the  inner 
Bide  and  its  round  ligsunent  cut  through,  after  which  extraction  will  be 
comparatively  easy.  This  accomplished,  it  will  often  be  possible  to 
extract  the  fetus  with  the  other  leg  turned  forward  into  the  womb.  If 
the  calf  is  bloated  with  gas  it  may  be  necessary  to  remove  the  other 
leg  in  the  same  way,  and  even  to  cut  open  the  chest  and  abdomen  and 
remove  their  contents  before  extraction  esin  be  effected.  In  the  case  of 
extra  limbs  it  may  be  possible  to  bring  them  np  into  the  passages  after 
the  presenting  hind  limbs  have  been  removed,  if  this  is  not  practi- 
cable they  msvy  be  detached  by  cutting  them  through  sit  the  hip  joint 
as  described  under  Hreceh  Presentation. 

Another  method  of  removing  the  hind  limb  is,  sifter  having  skinned  it 
over  the  quarter,  to  cut  through  the  pelvic  IK>UCH  from  before  bsickwsird, 
in  the  median  line  below,  by  knife,  saw,  or  long  embryotonie  (Plato 
24G07 15 


226  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

xx,  Fig.  1),  and  then  disjoint  the  bones  of  the  spine  (mcrum)  and  the  hip 
bone  (ilium)  on  that  side  with  embryotome,  knife,  or  saw,  and  then 
drag  away  the  entire  limb,  along  with  all  the  hip  bones  on  that  side. 
This  has  the  advantage  of  securing  more  room  and  thereby  facilitating 
subsequent  operations.  Both  limbs  may  be  removed  in  this  way,  but 
on  the  removal  of  the  second  the  operator  is  without  any  solid  point  to 
drag  upon  in  bringing  away  the  remainder  of  the  fetus. 

•      DIVISION  ACROSS  THE   MIDDLE   OF  THE   BODY. 

Ill  cases  of  extra  size,  monstrosity,  or  distortion  of  one  end  of  the  body, 
it  may  be  requisite  to  cut  the  body  in  two  and  return  the  half  from  the 
passages  into  the  womb,  eVen  after  one  half  has  been  born.  The  pre- 
senting members  are  dragged  upon  forcibly  by  assistants  to  bring  as 
much  of  the  body  as  possible  outside.  Then  cut  through  the  skin 
around  the  body  at  some  distance  from  the  vulva,  and  with  hand,  knife, 
and  spud  detach  it  from  the  trunk  as  far  back  into  the  passages  as  can 
be  reached.  Next  cut  across  the  body  at  the  point  reached,  beginning 
at  the  lower  part  (breast,  belly)  and  proceeding  up  toward  the  spine. 
This  greatly  favors  the  separation  of  the  backbone  when  reached,  and 
further  allows  of  its  being  extended  so  that  it  can  be  divided  higher  up. 
When  the  backbone  is  reached,  the  knife  is  passed  between  the  two 
bones,  the  prominent  ridges  across  their  ends  acting  as  guides,  and  by 
dragging  and  twisting  the  one  is  easily  detached  from  the  other.  With 
an  anterior  presentation  the  separation  should,  if  possible,  be  made 
behind  the  last  rib,  while  with  a  posterior  presentation  as  many  of  the 
ribs  should  be  brought  away  as  can  be  accomplished.  Having  removed 
one  half  of  the  body,  the  remaining  half  is  to  be  pushed  back  into  the 
womb,  the  feet  sought  and  secured  with  nooses,  and  the  second  half 
removed  in  one  piece,  if  possible,  and,  if  not,  then  after  the  removal  of 
the  extra  limb  or  other  cause  of  obstruction. 

UEMOVAL  OF  THE  CONTENTS  OF  CHEST  OR  ABDOMEN. 

If  the  body  of  the  calf  sticks  fast  in  the  passages  by  reason  of  the 
mere  dryness  of  its  skin  and  of  the  passages,  the  obstacle  may  be 
removed  by  injecting  sweet  oil  past  the  fetus  into  the  womb  through  a 
rubber  or  other  tube,  and  smearing  the  passages  freely  with  lard. 
When  the  obstruction  depends  on  excess  of  size  of  the  chest  or  abdo- 
men, or  thickening  of  the  body  from  distorted  spine,  much  advantage 
may  be  derived  from  the  removal  of  the  contents  of  these  great  cavities 
of  the  trunk.  We  have  already  seen  how  the  haunches  may  be  nar- 
rowed by  cutting  the  bones  apart  in  the  median  line  below  and  causing 
their  free  edges  to  overlap  each  other.  The  abdomen  can  be  cut  open 
by  the  enibryotomy  knife  or  the  long  enibryotome  in  the  median  line, 
or  at  any  point,  and  the  contents  pulled  out  with  the  hand,  the  knife 
being  used  in  any  case  when  especial  resistance  is  encountered.  If  the 
abdomen  is  so  firmly  impacted  that  it  can  not  be  dealt  with  in  this  way, 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  227 

one  bind  limb  and  the  hip  bone  on  the  same  side  may  be  removed  as 
described  under  Amputation  of  the  Hind  Limbs.  This  will  allow  the 
introduction  of  the  hand  into  the  abdomen  from  behind,  so  as  to  pull  out 
the  contents.  By  introducing  an  embryotomy  knife  in  the  palm  of  the 
hand  and  cutting  through  the  muscle  of  the  diaphragm  the  interior  of 
the  chest  can  be  reached  in  the  same  way  and  the  heart  and  lungs 
removed. 

When,  in  dealing  with  an  anterior  presentation,  it  becomes  necessary 
to  remove  the  contents  of  the  chest,  the  usual  course  is  to  cut  through 
the  connections  of  the  ribs  with  the  breastbone  (the  costal  cartilages) 
close  to  the  breastbone  on  each  side,  and  from  the  abdomen  forward  to 
the  neck.  Then  cut  through  the  muscles  connecting  the  front  of  the 
breastbone  with  the  neck,  and  its  hinder  end  with  the  belly,  and  pull 
out  the  entire  breastbone.  Having  torn  out  the  heart  and  lungs  with 
tin-  hand,  make  the  rib  cartilages  on  the  one  side  overlap  those  on  the 
other,  so  as  to  lessen  the  thickness  of  the  chest,  and  proceed  to  extract 
the  body.  If  it  seems  needful  to  empty  the  abdomen  as  well,  it  is  easy 
to  reach  it  by  cutting  through  the  diaphragm,  which  separates  it  from 
the  chest. 

DELIVERY      THROUGH       THE       FLANK— CESAKEAN      SECTION— LAP  A- 

EOTOMT. 

This  is  sometimes  demanded,  when  the  distortion  and  narrowing  of  the 
hip  bones  are  such  as  to  forbid  the  passage  of  the  calf,  or  when  inflam- 
mation has  practically  closed  the  natural  passages  and  the  progeny  is 
more  valuable  and  worthy  of  being  saved  than  the  dam;  also  in  cases 
in  which  the  cow  has  been  fatally  injured,  or  is  ill  beyond  possibility  of 
recovery  and  yet  carries  a  living  calf.  It  is  too  often  a  last  resort  after 
long  and  fruitless  efforts  to  deliver  by  the  natural  channels,  and  in  such 
cases  the  saving  of  the  calf  is  all  that  can  be  expected,  the  exhausted 
cow,  already  the  subject  of  active  inflammation,  and  too  often  also  of 
putrid  poisoning,  is  virtually  beyond  hope.  The  hope  of  saving  the 
dam  is  greatest  if  she  is  in  good  health  and  not  fatigued,  in  cases,  for 
example,  in  which  the  operation  is  resorted  to  on  account  of  broken  hip 
bones  or  abnormally  narrow  passages. 

The  stork-owner  will  not  attempt  such  a  serious  operation  as  this. 
Yet,  where  the  mother  has  just  died  or  is  to  be  immediately  sacrificed,  no 
one  should  hesitate  at  resorting  to  it  in  order  to  save  the  calf.  If  alive 
it  is  important  to  have  the  cow  perfectly  still.  Her  left  fore  leg  being 
bent  at  the  knee  by  one  person,  another  may  so.ize  the  loft  horn  and  nose 
and  turn  the  head  to  the  right  until  the  nose  rests  on  the  spine  just 
above  the  shoulder.  The  cow  will  sink  down  gently  on  her  left  side 
without  shock  or  struggle.  One  may  now  hold  the  head  firmly  to  the 
ground,  while  a  second,  carrying  the  end  of  the  tail  from  behind  for- 
ward on  the  insi<!«  of  the  right  thigh,  pulls  upon  it  so  as  to  keep  the 
right  hind  limb  veil  raised  from  the  ground.  If  time  presses  she  may 


228  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

be  operated  on  in  this  position,  or  if  the  cow  is  to  be  sacrificed  a  blow 
on  the  head  with  an  ax  will  secure  quietude.  Then  the  prompt  cutting 
into  the  abdomen  and  womb  and  the  extraction  of  the  calf  requires  no 
skill.  If,  however,  the  cow  is  to  be  preserved,  her  two  fore  feet  and  the 
lower  hind  one  should  be  safely  fastened  together  and  the  upper  hind 
one  drawn  back.  Two  ounces  chloral  hydrate,  given  by  injection, 
should  induce  sleep  in  twenty  minutes,  and  the  operation  may  proceed. 
In  case  the  cow  is  to  be  preserved,  wash  the  right  flank  and  apply  a 
solution  of  4  grains  of  corrosive  sublimate  in  a  pint  of  water.  Then, 
with  an  ordinary  scalpel  or  knife  dipped  in  the  above  solution,  make  an 
incision  from  2  inches  below  and  in  front  of  the  outer  angle  of  the 
hip  bone  in  a  direction  downward  and  slightly  forward  to  a  distance  of 
12  inches.  Cut  through  the  muscles,  and  more  carefully  through  the 
transparent  lining  membrane  of  the  abdomen  (peritoneum),  letting  the 
point  of  the  knife  lie  in  the  groove  between  the  first  two  fingers  of  the 
left  hand  as  they  are  slid  down  inside  the  membrane  and  with  their 
back  to  the  intestines.  An  assistant,  whose  hands,  like  those  of  the 
operator,  have  been  dipped  in  the  sublimate  solution,  may  press  his 
hands  on  the  wound  behind  the  knife  to  prevent  the  protrusion  of  the 
intestines.  The  operator  now  feels  for  and  brings  up  to  the  wound  the 
gravid  womb,  allowing  it  to  bulge  well  through  the  abdominal  wound, 
so  as  to  keep  back  the  bowels  and  prevent  any  escape  of  water  into  the 
abdomen.  This  is  seconded  by  two  assistants,  who  press  the  lips  of 
the  wound  against  the  womb.  Then  an  incision  12  inches  long  is  made 
into  the  womb  at  its  most  prominent  point,  deep  enough  to  penetrate 
its  walls,  but  not  so  as  to  cut  into  the  water  bags.  In  cutting,  care- 
fully avoid  the  cotyledons,  which  may  be  felt  as  hard  masses  inside. 
By  pressure  the  latter  may  be  made  to  bulge  out  as  in  natural  parturi- 
tion, and  this  projecting  portion  may  be  torn  or  cut  so  as  to  let  the 
liquid  flow  down  outside  of  the  belly.  The  operator  now  plunges  his 
hand  into  the  womb,  seizes  the  fore  or  hind  limbs,  and  quickly  extracts 
the  calf  and  gives  it  to  an  attendant  to  convey  to  a  safe  place.  The 
womb  may  be  drawn  out,  but  not  until  all  the  liquid  has  flowed  out,  and 
the  fetal  membranes  must  be  separated  from  the  natural  cotyledons, 
one  by  one,  and  the  membranes  removed.  The  womb  is  now  emptied 
with  a  sponge,  which  has  been  boiled  or  squeezed  out  of  a  sublimate 
solution,  and  if  any  liquid  has  fallen  into  the  abdomen  it  may  be 
removed  in  the  same  way.  A  few  stitches  are  now  placed  in  the  wound 
in  the  womb,  using  carbolized  catgut.  They  need  not  be  very  close 
together,  as  the  wound  will  diminish  greatly  when  the  womb  contracts. 
Should  the  womb  not  contract  at  once  it  may  have  applied  against  it  a 
sponge  squeezed  out  of  a  cold  sublimate  solution,  or  it  may  be  drawn 
out  of  the  abdominal  wound  and  exposed  to  the  cold  air  uqtil  it  con- 
tracts. Its  contraction  is  necessary  to  prevent  bleeding  from  its  enor- 
mous network  of  veins.  When  contracted  the  womb  is  returned  into 
the  abdomen  and  the  abdominal  wound  sewed  up.  One  set  of  stitches, 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  229 

to  be  placed  at  intervals  of  2  inches,  are  passed  through  the  entire 
thickness  of  skin  and  muscles  and  tied  around  two  quills  or  little  rollers 
resting  on  the  skin.  (Plate  xxvm,  Fig.  7.)  These  should  be  of  silver, 
and  may  be  cut  at  one  end  and  pulled  out  after  the  wound  has  healed. 
The  superficial  stitches  are  put  in  every  half  inch  and  passed  through 
the  skin  only.  They,  too,  may  be  of  silver;  or  pins  maybe  inserted 
through  the  lips  and  a  fine  cord  twisted  round  their  ends  like  a  figure 
eight.  (Plate  xxvin,  9.)  The  points  of  the  pins  may  be  snipped  off 
with  pliers.  The  edges  may  be  still  further  held  together  by  the  appli- 
cation of  Venice  turpentine,  melted  so  as  to  become  firmly  adherent, 
and  covered  with  a  layer  of  cotton  wool.  Then  the  whole  should  be 
supported  by  a  bandage  fixed  around  the  loins  and  abdomen. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  GENERATIVE  ORGANS. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATES. 
PLATK  XII: 

Fetus  with  its  membranes  at  mid  term.  The  uterus  is  opened  on  the  left  side. 
In  the  uterus  the  fetus  is  surrounded  by  several  membrane's,  which  are  known 
as  the  amnion  or  inner  layer,  the  allantois  or  central  layer,  and  the  chorion 
or  outer  layer.  The  amnion  or  inner  membrane  is  nearest  the  fetus,  and 
forms  a  closed  sac  around  it,  filled  with  a  fluid  known  as  liquor  arnnii,  in 
which  the  fetus  floats. 

The  allantois  is  the  central  membrane,  and  is  composed  of  two  layers  which  form 
a  closed  sac  in  connection  with  the  urachus  or  the  tube  which  extends  from 
the  fetal  bladder  through  the  umbilical  cord.  The  one  layer  of  the  allan- 
tois is  spread  over  the  outer  surface  of  the  amnion,  and  the  other  over  the 
inner  surface  of  chorion.  The  allautois  also  contains  a  fluid  which  is  known 
as  the  allantoic  liquid. 

The  chorion  is  the  outer  envelope  or  membrane  of  the  fetus,  completely  inclos- 
ing the  fetus  with  its  other  membranes.  On  the  outer  surface  of  this  mem- 
brane are  found  the  fetal  placentulte  or  cotyledons,  which,  through  their 
attachment  to  the  maternal  cotyledons,  furnish  the  fetus  with  the  means  of 
sustaining  life.  The  relation  of  the  fetal  and  maternal  cotyledons  to  each 
other  is  illustrated  on  the  following  plate. 
PLATE  XIII: 

Fig.  1.  Uterus  of  the  cow  during  pregnancy,  laid  open  to  show  the  cotyledons 
(d)  on  the  internal  surface  of  uterus  (c).  The  ovary  (a)  is  shown  cut  across, 
and  the  two  halves  laid  open  to  show  the  position  of  the  discharged  ovum 
at  a'. 

Fig.  2.  Illustrates  the  relation  of  the  fetal  and  maternal  parts  of  a  cotyledon. 
A  portion  of  the  uterus  ( A)  is  shown  with  the  maternal  cotyledon  (BB) 
attached  to  it.  The  fetal  portion  (D)  consists  of  a  mass  of  very  minute 
hairlike  processes  on  the  chorion  (E),  which  fit  into  corresponding  depres- 
sions or  pits  of  the  maternal  portion.  Each  portion  is  abundantly  supplied 
with  blood  vessels,  so  that  a  ready  interchange  of  nutritive  fluid  may  take 
place  between  mother  and  fetus. 
PLATE  XIV : 

Fig.  1.  Taken  from  Fiirstenberg-Lciscrtnfj,  Anatomic  und  Physiologic  des  Rindes. 
Fetal  calf  with  a  portion  of  the  wall  of  the  abdominal  cavity  of  the  right 
side  and  the  stomach  and  intestines  removed  to  illustrate  the  nature  of  the 
umbilical  or  navel  cord.  It  consists  of  a  hollow  tube  (1-1')  into  which  pass 
the  two  umbilical  arteries  (3)  carrying  blood  to  the  placenta  in  the  uterus 
or  womb  and  the  umbilical  vein  (4)  bringing  the  blood  back  and  carrying 
it  into  the  liver.  The  cord  also  contains  the  urachus  (2'),  which  carries 
urine  from  the  bladder  (2)  through  the  cord.  These  vessels  are  all  oblit- 
erated at  birth.  5,  liver;  5',  lobe  of  same  known  as  the  lobus  Spiegelii;  5", 
gall  bladder;  6,  right  kidney;  G',  left  kidney;  6",  ureters,  or  the  tubes  con- 
ducting the  urine  from  the  kidneys  to  the  bladder ;  7,  rectum  where  it  has 
been  severed  in  removing  the  intestines;  8,  uterus  of  the  fetus,  cut  off  at 
the  anterior  extremity ;  9,  aorta ;  10,  posterior  vena  cava. 
230 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  231 

!  I..YTK  XIV — Continued. 

Fig.  2.  Taken  from  Quain's  Anatomy,  Vol.  11,  showing  the  blood  vessels  passing 
through  the  umbilical  cord  in  a  human  fetus :  L,  liver;  £,  kidney ;  I,  intes- 
tine; U  C,  umbilical  cord;  Ua,  umbilical  arteries.  The  posterior  aorta 
coming  from  the  heart  passes  backward  and  gives  rise  to  the  internal  iliac 
arteries,  and  of  these  the  umbilical  arteries  are  branches.  Uv,  umbilical 
vein;  this  joins  the  portal  vein;  passes  onward  to  the  liver,  breaks  up  into 
smaller  vessels  which  reunite  in  the  hepatic  vein ;  this  empties  into  tho  pos- 
terior vena  cava,  which  carries  the  blood  back  to  the  heart. 
PLATE  XV: 

Showing  the  most  favorable  position  of  the  calf  or  fetus  in  the  womb  at  birth, 
and  the  position, iu  which  it  is  most  frequently  found.  This  is  known  as  tho 
normal  anterior  position.  The  back  of  the  fetus  is  directly  towards  that  of 
the  mother,  the  fore  legs  are  extended  back  towards  the  vulva  of  the 
mother,  and  the  head  rests  between  them.  The  birth  of  the  calf  in  this  posi- 
tion usually  takes  place  without  artificial  assistance. 
PLATE  XVI : 

Fig.  1.  Anterior  presentation;  one  fore  limb  completely  retained.  From  Flem- 
ing's Veterinary  Obstetrics.  The  retained  limb  must  be  reached  if  possible, 
and  brought  forward  joint  by  joint  and  the  fetus  then  extracted. 

Fig.  2.  Anterior  presentation ;  fore  limbs  bent  at  knee.  From  Fleming's  Veter- 
inary Obstetrics.  The  limbs  must  be  extended  before  delivery  can  be  accom- 
plished. 

Fig.  3.  Anterior  presentation;  fore  limb  crossed  over  neck.  From  Fleming's 
Veterinary  Obstetrics.  The  leg  should  be  grasped  a  little  above  the  fet- 
lock, raised,  drawn  to  its  proper  side,  and  extended  in  the  genital  canal. 

Fig.  4.  Anterior  presentation ;  downward  deviation  of  head.  After  St.  Cyr,  from 
Hill's  Bovine  Medicine  and  Surgery.  The  head  must  be  brought  into  posi- 
tion seen  in  Plate  XV  before  delivery  can  take  place. 

Fig. 5.  Anterior  presentation;  deviation  of  the  head  upwards  and  backwards. 
From  Fleming's  Veterinary  Obstetrics.  Eetroj.ulsion  is  the  first  indication, 
and  will  often  bring  the  head  into  its  normal  position. 

Fig.  6.  Anterior  presentation;  head  presenting  with  back  down.     From  D'Ar- 
boval,     Diet,  de  Med.  et  de  (Jhir.     The  fetus  should  bo  turned  by  pushing 
back  the;  fore  parts  and  bringing  up  the  hind  so  as  to  make  a  posterior  pre- 
sentation, i 
PLATK  XVII: 

Fig.  1.  Anterior  presentation,  with  hind  feet  engaged  in  j>elvis.  A  very  serious 
mnlprcsentation,  in  which  it  is  generally  impossible  to  save  the  fetus  if 
delivery  it*  fur  advanced.  The  indications  are  to  force  back  the  hind  feet. 

Fig.  2.  Thigh  and  croup  presentation,  showing  the  fetus  corded.  From  Flem- 
ing's Veterinary  Obstetrics.  The  cord  has  a  ring  or  noose  at  one  end.  Tho 
two  emlnof  the  cord  are  passed  between  tho,  thighs,  brought  out  at  the  flanks, 
and  tho  plain  end  passed  through  the  noose  at  the  top  of  the  back  and  brought 
-  nt-iili-  tho  vulva.  The  fetim  must  bo  punhod  hack  and  an  attempt  made 
to  bring  tho  limb*  properly  into  the  genital  passage. 

Fig.  3.  Croup  and  hock  presentation.  From  Firming'*  Veterinary  Obstetrics. 
Tho  indication*  in  this  abnormal  presentation  are  the  same  as  described  for 
Fig.  2. 

Fig.  4.  Posterior  pre,Hentatinit ;  tho  fetus  on  its  back.  From  D'Arboval,  IHcl.  tic 
Med.  ft  df  f'fcir.  Turn  the  feltis  no  at  HO  make  a  normal  anterior  presentation. 

Fig.  ."».  Sterno-abdomina!  presentation.  From  D'Arboval.  IHcl.  df  Mcd.  rt  d>- 
C'kir.  The  fetus  is  on  its  side  with  limbs  rroxning  and  presenting.  Tho 
limb*  least  eli/rible  for  extraction  should  be  forrod  back  into  the  uterus. 

Fig.6.  Dorno-liunbar  presentation  ;  the  back  presenting.  From  D'Arbuval,  JKrt. 
de  Med.  et  de  Chir.  The  fetus  must  IMS  turned  «o  that  one  or  the  other  ex- 
tremity can  enter  the  passage. 


232  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

PLATE  XVIII: 

Fig.  1.  Twiii  pregnancy,  showing  the  normal  anterior  ana  posterior  presenta- 
tions. From  Fleming's  Veterinary  Obstetrics. 

Fig.  2.  Abdominal  dropsy  of  the  fetus;  normal  presentation;  fore  limbs  corded. 
After  Armatage.  The  drawing  illustrates  the  method  of  puncturing  the 
abdomen  through  the  chest  with  a  long  trocar  and  canula,  The  fluid  is 
represented  escaping  from  the  canula  after  the  withdrawal  of  the  trocar. 

Fig.  3.  Tallich's  short,  bent,  crotchet  forceps.  The  forceps  have  bent  and  toothed 
jaws,  which  are  intended  to  take  hold  of  the  fetus  where  neither  cords  or 
hooks  can  be  applied,  as  the  ear,  nose,  or  skin  of  cheek. 

Fig.  4.  Clamp  for  ear,  skin,  etc :  1-1,  blades  with  hooks  and  corresponding  holes ; 
2,  ring  to  close  the  blades;  3,  stem  with  female  screw  for  handle;  4,  handle, 
which  may  be  either  straight  or  jointed  and  flexible. 
PLATE  XIX : 

This  plate  illustrates  various  malformations  and  diseases  of  the  fetus  which  act 
as  the  cause  of  difficult  parturition. 

Figs.  1, 2, 3.  Represent  the  fetuses  with  portions  of  their  bodies  double.  Fig. 
1  (from  Fleming's  Veterinary  Obstetrics),  double  head,  neck,  and  fore  limbs. 
Fig.  2  (from  Encyclop.  der  Gesam.  TJiierheilkunde,  1886),  double  head,  neck, 
fore  limbs,  and  body.  Fig.  3  (from  Fleming's  Veterinary  Obstetrics),  double 
faced. 

Fig.  4.  Fetus  with  head  very  much  enlarged.  From  Fleming's  Veterinary 
Obstetrics.  This  affection  is  known  as  hydrocephalus  or  dropsy  of  the 
brain,  and  is  due  to  a  more  or  less  considerable  quantity  of  fluid  in  the  cra- 
nial cavity  of  the  fetus. 

Fig.  5.  Skull  of  the  calf  represented  in  Fig.  4.     The  roof  of  the  skull  is  absent. 

From  Fleming's  Veterinary  Obstetrics. 
PLATE  XX : 

Fig.  1.  Long  embryotome  with  joint. 

Fig.  2.  Long  sharp  hook.  This  instrument  is  about  3  feet  in  length,  including 
the  handle.  Hooks  of  this  kind,  both  blunt  and  sharp,  are  applied  directly 
to  the  fetus  to  assist  in  delivery. 

Fig.  3.  Giinther's  long-handled  embryotome.  This  instrument  and  that  repre- 
sented in  Fig.  1  are  of  special  value  in  cutting  through  muscular  tissue  and 
in  separating  the  limbs  from  the  trunk  when  the  fetus  can  not  be  removed 
entire.  These  embryotomes  are  usually  30  inches  long,  but  may  be  made 
either  longer  or  shorter. 

Fig.  4.  Jointed  cord-carrier,  used  in  difficult  parturition  to  carry  a  cord  into 
regions  which  can  not  be  reached  by  the  arm. 

Fig.  5.  Instrument  used  to  rotate  or  turn  the  fetus,  known  as  a  rotator. 

Fig.  6.  Dilator  of  the  neck  of  the  womb,  used  when  conception  can  not  take 
place  owing  to  a  contracted  condition  of  the  neck  of  the  womb. 

Fig.  7.  Repeller.  An  instrument  from  2  to  3  feet  long,  used  to  force  the  fetus 
forward  into  the  Avoinb.  This  operation  is  generally  necessary  Avhen  the 
presentation  is  abnormal  and  the  fetus  has  advanced  too  far  into  the  narrow 
inlet  to  the  uterus  to  be  moved. 

Fig.  8.  Cartwright's  bone  chisel.  Including  the  handle  this  instrument  is  about 
32  inches  in  length,  the  chisel  portion  is  a  little  more  than  2  inches  long  and 
1  to  1A  broad.  Only  the  middle  portion  is  sharp,  the  projecting  corners  are 
blunt  and  the  sides  rounded.  This  instrument  is  used  for  slitting  up  the 
skin  of  a  limb  and  as  a  bone  chisel  when  it  is  necessary  to  mutilate  the  fetus 
in  order  to  effect  delivery. 
PLATE  XXI : 

Fig.  1.  Embryotome,  an  instrument  used  when  it  is  necessary  to  reduce  the  size 
of  the  fetus  by  cutting  away  certain  parts  before  birth  can  be  affected.  This 
instrument  may  be  long  or  short,  straight  or  curved. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  233 

PLATE  XXI — Continued. 

Fig.  2.  Also  an  embryotome.     The  blade  cau  bo  made  to  slide  out  of  or  into  the 

handle.     The  instrument  can  thus  be  introduced  iuto  or  withdrawn  from  tho 

genital  passage  without  risk  of  injury  to  the  mother. 
Fig.  3.  Schaack's  traction  cord.     This  is  merely  a  cord  with  a  running  noose  at 

one  end  and  a  piece  of  wood  at  the  other,  to  offer  a  better  hold  for  the  hand. 
Figs.  4a  and  46.  ReufPa  head  collar  for  securing  the  head  of  the  fetus. 
Fig.  5.  Curved  cord-carrier,  used  in  difficult  parturition  to  carry  "•   cord  into 

regions  which  can  not  be  reached  by  the  arm. 
Fig.  6.  Blunt  hook,  used  iu  difficult  parturition. 
Fig.  7.  Short  hook  forceps,  used  in  difficult  parturition. 
Fig.  8.  Blunt  finger  hook. 


PI. ATI:  xn 


KOK.TAI.   <1AI,K   WITHIN    ITS    MKMIWANK.S. 


PI. ATI:   xni 


f'rS/- 


IMtKiiNANT    TTKIM'S    Wllll    (  ,«)TY  I.I  .DONS 


PLATK   XIV 


VKSSI-il.S   Or  I   MUM  |<  Al     <0ltl> 


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PI.ATK    XV III 


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PLATE  XX 


s  rsi-:n  IN  DIM  i<  i  i;r  I.AIU»U 


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i.vsTiir.MK.vrs  i'si:n  i.v  DII  1 1<  i  i.i  I.AMOM 


DISEASES  FOLLOWING  PARTURITION. 


By  JAMES  LAW,  F.   R.   C.  V.  S., 
Professor  of  Veterinary  Science,  etc.,  in  Cornell  Unirersif:,. 


FLOODING — BLEEDING   FROM   THE   WOMB. 

Though  not  so  common  in  the  cow  as  in  the  human  female,  flooding 
is  sufficiently  frequent  to  demand  attention.  It  may  depend  on  a  too 
rapid  calving,  and  a  consequent  failure  of  the  womb  to  contract  when 
the  calf  has  been  removed.  The  pregnant  womb  is  extraordinarily  rich 
in  blood- vessels,  and  especially  in  large  and  tortuous  veins,  which 
become  compressed  and  all  but  obliterated  under  contraction,  but  remain 
overfilled  and  often  bleed  into  the  cavity  of  the  womb  should  no  con- 
traction take  place.  Cox  records  cases  in  which  the  labor  pains  had 
detached  and  expelled  the  fetal  membranes,  while  the  calf,  owing  to 
large  size  or  wrong  presentation,  was  detained  in  the  womb,  and  the 
continued  dilatation  of  the  womb  in  the  absence  of  the  fetal  membranes 
led  to  a  flow  of  blood  which  accumulated  in  clots  around  the  calf. 
Other  causes  are  laceration  of  the  cotyledons  of  the  womb,  or  from  an 
antecedent  inflammation  of  the  placenta,  and  the  unnatural  adhesion  of 
the  membranes  to  the  womb,  which  bleeds  when  the  two  are  torn  apart. 
Weakness  of  the  womb  from  overdistension,  as  in  dropsy,  twins,  etc.,  is 
not  without  its  influence.  Finally,  eversion  of  the  womb  (casting  the 
withers)  is  an  occasional  cause  of  flooding.  The  trouble  is  only  too  evi- 
dent when  the  blood  flows  from  the  external  passages  in  drops  or  in  a 
fine  stream.  But  when  it  is  retained  in  the  cavity  of  the  womb  it  may 
remain  unsuspected  until  it  has  rendered  the  animal  almost  bloodless. 
The  symptoms  in  such  a  case  are  paleness  of  the  eyes,  noso,  mouth,  ami 
of  the  lips  of  the  vulva,  a  weak  rapid  pulse,  violent  and  perhaps  loud 
Ix.iating  of  the  heart  (palpitations),  sunken,  staring  eyes,  coldness  of  the 
skin,  ears,  horn*,  and  limbs,  perspiration,  weakness  in  standing,  stag 
goring  gait,  and  finally  inability  to  rise,  and  death  in  convulsions.  If 
these  symptoms  arc  seen  the  oiled  hand  should  be  introduce*!  into  tin- 
womb,  which  will  be  found  open  and  flaccid,  and  containing  large  blood 
clots. 

Treatment  consists  in  the  removal  of  tin-   fetal  membranes  ami  blood 
clots  from  the  womb  (which  will  not  contract  while  they  are  present), 

235 


236  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  dashing  of  cold  water  on  the  loins,  right  flank,  and  vulva,  and  if 
these  measures  fail,  the  injection  of  cold  water  into  the  womb  through 
a  rubber  tube  furnished  with  a  funnel.  In  obstinate  cases  a  good- 
sized  sponge  soaked  in  tincture  of  muriate  of  iron  should  be  introduced 
into  the  womb  and  firmly  squeezed,  so  as  to  bring  the  iron  in  contact 
with  the  bleeding  surface.  This  is  at  once  an  astringent  and  a  coagu- 
lant for  the  blood,  besides  stimulating  the  womb  to  contraction.  In 
the  absence  of  this  agent,  astringents  (solution  of  copperas,  alum, 
tannic  acid,  or  acetate  of  lead),  may  be  thrown  into  the  womb,  and  one- 
half-dram  doses  of  acetate  of  lead  may  be  given  by  the  mouth,  or  1 
ounce  powdered  ergot  of  rye  may  be  given  in  gruel.  When  nothing 
else  is  at  hand,  an  injection  of  oil  of  turpentine  will  sometimes  promptly 
check  the  bleeding. 

EVERSION   OF    THE   WOMB — CASTING   THE   WITHERS. 

%  % 

Like  flooding,  this  is  the  result  of  failure  of  the  womb  to  contract 
after  calving.  If  that  organ  contracts  naturally,  the  afterbirth  is 
expelled,  the  internal  cavity  of  the  womb  is  nearly  closed,  and  the 
mouth  of  the  organ  becomes  so  narrow  that  the  hand  can  not  be  forced 
through,  much  less  the  whole  mass  of  the  matrix.  When,  however,  it 
fails  to  contract,  the  closed  end  of  one  of  the  horns  may  fall  into  its  open 
internal  cavity,  and  under  the  compression  of  the  adjacent  intestines, 
and  the  straining  and  contraction  of  the  abdominal  walls,  it  is  forced  far- 
ther and  farther  until  the  whole  organ  is  turned  outside  in,  slides  back 
through  the  vagina,  and  hangs  from  the  vulva.  The  womb  can  be 
instantly  distinguished  from  the  protruding  vagina  or  bladder  by  the 
presence  over  its  whole  surface  of  50  to  100  mushroom-like  bodies 
(cotyledons),  each  2  to  3  inches  in  diameter,  and  attached  by  a  narrow 
neck.  (Plates  xn,  xin.)  When  fully  everted  it  is  further  recognizable 
by  a  large,  undivided  body  hanging  from  the  vulva,  and  two  horns  or 
divisions  which  hang  down  toward  the  hocks.  In  the  imperfect  ever- 
eions  the  body  of  the  womb  may  be  present  with  two  depressions  lead- 
ing into  the  two  horns.  In  the  cases  of  some  standing  the  organ  has 
become  inflamed  and  gorged  with  blood  until  it  is  as  large  as  a  bushel 
basket,  and  its  surface  has  a  dark,  red,  blood-like  hue,  and  tears  and 
bleeds  on  the  slightest  touch.  Still  later  lacerations,  raw  sores,  and 
even  gangrene  are  shown  in  the  mass.  At  the  moment  of  protrusion 
the  general  health  is  not  altered,  but  soon  the  inflammation  and  fever 
with  the  violent  and  continued  straining  induce  exhaustion,  and  the  cow 
lies  down,  making  no  attempt  to  rise.  - 

Treatment  will  vary  somewhat,  according  to  the  degree  of  the  ever- 
sion.  In  partial  eversiou,  with  the  womb  protruding  only  slightly  from 
the  vulva  and  the  cow  standing,  let  an  assistant  pinch  the  back  to 
prevent  straining  while  the  operator  pushes  his  closed  fist  into  the  cen- 
ter of  the  mass  and  carries  it  back  through  the  vagina,  assisting  in 
returning  the  surrounding  parts  by  the  other  hand.  In  more  complete 


DISEASES   FOLLOWING   PARTURITION.  237 

eversion,  but  with  the  womb  as  yet  of  its  natural  bulk  and  consistency, 
and  the  cow  standing,  straining  being  checked  by  pinching  the  back,  a 
sheet  is  held  by  two  men  so  as  to  sustain  the  everted  womb  and  raise 
it  to  the  level  of  the  vulva.  It  is  now  sponged  clean  with  cold  water,  the 
cold  being  useful  iu  driving  out  the  blood  and  reducing  the  bulk,  and 
finally  it  may  be  sponged  over  with  laudanum  or  with  a  weak  solution 
of  carbolic  acid  (1  dram  to  1  quart  water).  The  closed  fist  may  now  be 
planted  in  the  rounded  end  of  the  largest  horn  and  pushed  on  so  as  to 
turn  it  back  within  itself  and  carry  it  on  through  the  vagina,  the  other 
hand  being  used  meanwhile  to  assist  in  the  inversion  and  in  pushing 
the  different  masses  in  succession  within  the  lips  of  the  vulva.  In  case 
of  failure,  resort  should  be  had  at  once  to  a  plan  which  I  have  success- 
fully followed  for  many  years,  but  which  has  never  been  described  save 
by  a  short  notice  in  my  "Farmers'  Veterinary  Adviser,"  eighth  edition. 
Take  a  long  linen  or  cotton  bandage,  5  or  G  inches  wide,  and  wind  it 
around  the  protruding  womb  as  tightly  as  it  can  be  drawn,  beginning 
at  the  free  end  and  gradually  covering  the  entire  mass  up  to  the  vulva. 
By  this  means  the  greater  part  of  the  blood  will  be  forced  out  of  the 
organ  and  its  bulk  greatly  reduced,  so  that  its  reduction  is  much  facil- 
itated. An  additional  advantage  is  found  in  the  protection  given  to 
the  womb  by  its  investing  bandage,  while  it  is  being  pushed  forward 
into  the  vagina  and  abdomen.  In  manipulating  the  exposed  womb 
there  is  always  danger  of  laceration,  but  when  the  organ  is  covered 
with  a  sheet  it  is  next  to  impossible  to  tear  it.  The  subsequent  ma- 
nipulation is  as  in  the  other  case  by  pushing  the  blind  end  forward 
within  itself  with  the  closed  fist  and  carrying  this  on  through  the  vagina 
into  the  abdomen  with  the  constant  assistance  of  the  other  hand.  It 
will  often  be  found  convenient  to  use  the  edge  of  the  left  hand  to  push 
the  outer  part  of  the  protruding  mass  inside  the  lips  of  the  vulva,  while 
the  right  hand  and  arm  are  carrying  the  central  portions  forward 
through  the  vagina.  An  intelligent  assistant,  pushing  with  the  palms 
of  both  hands  on  the  outer  portion  of  the  mass,  will  also  afford  material 
assistance.  As  the  womb  is  turned  within  itself  the  wrapping  band- 
age will  gradually  loosen,  but  once  Ihe  great  mass  has  entered  the 
passages  it  is  easy  to  compel  the  rest  to  follow,  and  the  compression  by 
the  bandage  is  no  longer  so  important.  When  the  womb  is  fully  re- 
placed the  bandage  is  left  in  its  interior  in  a  series  of  loose  folds,  and 
can  be  easily  withdrawn.  It  is  well  to  move  the  hand  from  side  to 
side  to  insure  that  the  two  horns  of  the  womb  are  fully  extended  and 
on  about  the  same  level  before  withdrawing  the  arm  ami  applying  a 
truss. 

When  the  womb  has  been  long  everted  and  is  gorged  with  Mood, 
inflamed  and  friable,  there  is  often  the  additional  disadvantage  that  the 
animal  is  unable  or  unwilling  to  rise.  When  lying  down  the  straining 
can  not  be  controlled  so  cfteetiially,  and  the  compression  of  the  belly 
is  so  great  as  to  prove  a  serious  obstacle  t<»  reduction,  even  in  the 


238  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

absence  of  straining.  The  straining  may  be  checked  by  2  or  3  ounces 
of  laudanum,  or  2  ounces  of  choral  hydrate,  or  by  inhalation  of  chloro- 
form to  insensibility,  and  then  by  raising  the  hind  parts  on  straw  bun- 
dles the  gravitation  of  the  abdominal  organs  forward  may  be  made  to 
lessen  the  resistance.  If  success  can  not  be  had  in  this  way  the  cow 
may  be  further  turned  on  her  back,  and  if  return  is  still  impossible,  the 
hind  limbs  may  be  tied  together  and  drawn  up  to  a  beam  overhead  by 
the  aid  of  a  pulley.  In  this  position,  in  place  of  the  pressure  backward 
of  the  bowels  proving  a  hindrance,  their  gravitation  forward  proves  a 
most  material  help  to  reduction.  In  seeking  to  return  the  womb  the 
sponging  with  ice-cold  water,  the  raising  on  a  sheet  and  the  wrapping 
in  a  tight  bandage  should  be  resorted  to.  Another  method  which  is 
especially  commendable  in  these  inflamed  conditions  of  the  womb  is  to 
bring  a  piece  of  linen  sheet  30  inches  by  36  under  the  womb  with  its 
anterior  border  close  up  to  the  vulva,  then  turn  the  posterior  border 
upward  and  forward  over  the  organ,  and  cross  the  two  ends  over  this, 
and  over  each  other  above.  The  ends  of  the  sheet  are  steadily  drawn 
so  as  to  tighten  its  hold  on  the  womb,  which  is  thus  held  on  the  level 
of  the  vulva  or  above,  and  cold  water  is  constantly  poured  upon  the 
mass.  The  reduction  is  further  sought  by  compression  of  the  mass 
-vith  the  palms  applied  outside  the  sheet.  Fifteen  or  twenty  minutes 
are  usually  sufficient  to  cause  the  return  of  the  womb,  provided  strain- 
ing is  prevented  by  pinching  of  the  back  or  otherwise. 

In  old  and  aggravated  cases,  with  the  womb  torn,  bruised,  or  even 
gangrenous,  the  only  resort  is  to  amputate  the  entire  mass.  This  is 
done  by  tying  a  strong  waxed  cord  round  the  protruding  mass  close  up 
to  the  vulva,  winding  the  cord  round  pieces  of  wood  so  as  to  draw  them 
as  tightly  as  possible,  cutting  off  the  organ  below  this  ligature,  tying  a 
thread  on  any  artery  that  may  still  bleed,  and  returning  the  stump  well 
into  the  vagina. 

Retention  of  the  returned  womb  is  the  next  point,  and  this  is  most 
easily  accomplished  by  a  rope  truss.  Take  two  ropes,  each  about  18 
feet  long  and  an  inch  in  thickness.  Double  each  rope  at  its  middle, 
and  lay  the  one  above  the  other  at  the  bend  so  as  to  form  an  ovoid  of 
about  8  inches  in  its  long  diameter.  Twist  each  end  of  the  one  rope 
twice  round  the  other  so  that  this  ovoid  will  remain  when  they  are 
drawn  tight.  (Plates  xxn  and  xxin.)  Tie  a  strap  or  rope  around  the 
back  part  of  the  neck  and  a  surcingle  around  the  body.  Place  the  rope 
truss  on  the  animal  so  that  the  ovoid  ring  shall  surround  the  vulva, 
the  two  ascending  ropes  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  tail  and  the  two 
descending  ones  down  inside  the  thighs  on  the  right  and  left  of  the 
udder.  These  descending  ropes  are  carried  forward  on  the  sides  of  the 
body  and  tied  to  the  surcingle  and  to  the  neck  collar.  The  ascending 
ropes  proceed  forward  on  the  middle  of  the  back,  twisting  over  each 
other,  and  are  tied  to  the  surcingle  and  collar.  The  upper  and  lower 
ropes  are  drawn  so  tightly  that  the  rope  ring  is  made  to  press  nrnJy 


DISEASES   FOLLOWING   PARTURITION.  239 

all  around  the  vulva  without  risk  of  displacement.  This  should  be  worn 
for  several  days  until  the  womb  shall  have  closed,  and  a  11  risk  of  further 
eversion  is  at  an  end.  Variations  of  this  device  are  found  in  the  use 
of  a  narrow  triangle  of  iron  applied  around  the  vulva  and  fixed  by  a 
similar  arrangement  of  ropes,  surcingle,  and  collar  (Plate  xxiu,  Fig.  3), 
a  common  crupper  similarly  held  around  the  vulva  (Plate  xxn,  Fig.  1), 
stitches  through  the  vulva,  and  wires  inserted  through  the  skin  on  the 
two  hips  (Plate  xxiu,  Fig.  2),  so  that  the}*  will  cross  behind  the  vulva; 
;ilso  pessaries  of  various  kinds  inserted  in  the  vagina.  None  of  these, 
however,  presents  any  advantage  over  the  simple  and  comparatively 
painless  rope  truss  described  above.  Such  additional  precautions  as 
keeping  the  cow  in  a  stall  higher  behind  than  in  front,  and  seeing  that 
the  diet  is  slightly  laxative  and  nonstimulating  may  be  named.  If 
straining  is  persistent,  ounce  doses  of  laudanum  may  be  employed  twice 
a  day,  and  the  same  may  be  injected  into  the  vagina. 

If  the  womb  has  been  cut  off,  injections  of  a  solution  of  a  teaspoon- 
ful  of  carbolic  acid  in  a  quart  of  water  should  be  employed  daily,  or 
more  frequently,  until  the  discharge  ceases. 

EVERSION   OF   THE  BLADDER. 

A  genuine  eversion  of  the  bladder  is  almost  unknown  in  the  cow, 
owing  to  the  extreme  narrowness  of  its  mouth.  The  protrusion  of  the 
bladder,  however,  through  a  laceration  in  the  floor  of  the  vagina  sus- 
tained in  calving,  and  its  subsequent  protrusion  through  the  vulva,  is 
sometimes  met  with.  In  this  case  the  protruding  bladder  contains 
urine,  which  can  never  be  the  case  in  a  real  eversiou,  in  which  the  inner 
surface  of  the  bladder  and  the  openings  of  the  ureters  are  both  exposed 
outside  the  vulva.  The  presence  of  a  bag  containing  water,  which  is 
connected  with  the  floor  of  the  vagina,  will  serve  to  identify  this  con- 
dition. If  the  position  of  the  bladder  in  the  vulva  renders  it  imprac- 
ticable to  pass  a  catheter  to  draw  off  the  urine,  pierce  the  organ  with 
the  nozzle  of  a  hypodermic  syringe,  or  even  a  very  small  trocar  and 
cauula,  and  draw  off  the  water,  when  it  will  be  found  an  easy  matter 
to  return  the  bladder  to  its  place.  The  rent  in  the  vagina  can  be 
stitched  up,  but  as  then'  would  be  risk  in  any  subsequent  calving  it  is 
best  to  prepare  the  cow  for  the  butcher. 

RUPTURE   OF   THE   BLADDER. 

This  lias  been  known  to  occur  in  protracted  parturition  when  the 
fetus  finally  passed  while  the  bladder  was  full.  The  symptoms  are 
those  of  complete  suppression  of  urine  and  tenderness  of  the  abdomen, 
with  a  Steady  accumulation  of  liquid  ami  fluctuation  on  handling  it« 
lower  part.  If  the  hand  is  introduced  into  the  vagina  it  is  felt  to  be 
hot  and  tender,  and  perhaps  slightly  swollen  along  its  floor.  As  a 
final  test,  if  the  lower  fluctuating  part  of  the  abdomen  is  punctured 


240  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

with  a  hypodermic  needle  a  straw-colored  liquid  of  an  urinous  odor 
flows  out.  The  condition  has  been  considered  as  past  hope.  The  only 
chance  for  recovery  would  be  in  opening  the  abdomen,  evacuating  the 
liquid,  and  stitching  up  the  rent  in  the  bladder,  but  at  such  a  season 
and  with  inflammation  already  started  there  would  be  little  to  hope  for. 

RUPTURE   OF   THE   WOMB. 

When  the  womb  has  been  rendered  friable  by  disease  this  may  occur 
in  the  course  of  the  labor,  but  much  more  frequently  it  occurs  from  vio- 
lence sustained  in  attempting  assistance  in  difficult  parturition.  It  is 
also  liable  to  occur  during  eversion  of  the  organ  through  efforts  to 
replace  it. 

If  it  happens  while  the  calf  is  still  in  the  womb,  it  will  usually  bleed 
freely  and  continuously  until  the  fetus  has  been  extracted,  so  that  the 
womb  can  contract  on  itself  and  expel  its  excess  of  blood.  Another 
danger  is  that  in  case  of  a  large  rent  the  calf  may  escape  into  the  cav- 
ity of  the  abdomen  and  parturition  become  impossible.  Still  another 
danger  is  that  of  the  introduction  of  septic  germs  and  the  setting  up  of 
a  fatal  inflammation  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  belly  (peritoneum). 
Still  another  is  the  escape  of  the  small  intestine  through  the  rent  and 
on  through  the  vagina  and  vulva,  so  as  to  protrude  externally  and 
receive  perhaps  fatal  injuries.  In  case  of  rupture  before  calving,  that 
act  should  be  completed  as  rapidly  and  carefully  as  possible,  the  fetal 
membranes  removed  and  the  contraction  of  the  womb  sought  by  dash- 
ing cold  water  on  the  loins,  the  right  flank,  or  the  vulva.  If  the  calf 
has  escaped  into  the  abdomen  and  can  not  be  brought  through  the 
natural  channels  it  may  be  permissible  to  fix  the  animal  and  extract 
it  through  the  side,  as  in  the  Ca?sarian  section.  If  the  laceration  has 
happened  during  eversion  of  the  womb  it  is  usually  less  redoubtable, 
because  the  womb  contracts  more  readily  under  the  stimulus  of  the 
cold  air  so  recently  applied.  In  case  the  abdomen  has  been  laid  open 
it  is  well  to  stitch  up  the  rent,  but  if  not  it  should  be  left  to  nature,  and 
will  often  heal  satisfactorily,  the  cow  even  breeding  successfully  in  after 
years. 

LACERATIONS 'AND  RUPTURES  OF  THE  VAGINA. 

Eupture  of  the  floor  of  the  vagina  has  been  already  referred  to  as 
allowing  the  protrusion  of  the  bladder.  Laceration  of  the  roof  of  this 
passage  is  also  met  Avith  as  the  result  of  deviations  of  the  hind  limbs 
and  feet  upward  when  the  calf  lies  on  its  back.  In  some  such  cases  the 
opening  passes  clear  into  the  rectum,  or  the  foot  may  even  pass  out 
through  the  anus,  so  that  that  opening  and  the  vulva  are  laid  open  into 
one. 

Simple  superficial  lacerations  of  the  vaginal  walls  are  not  usually 
serious,  and  heal  readily  unless  septic  inflammation  sets  in,  in  which 
case  the  cow  is  likely  to  perishT  They  may  be  treated  with  soothing 


DISEASES   FOLLOWING   PARTURITION.  241 

and    antiseptic   injections,  such  as  carbolic  acid,  1  dram;   water,  1 
quart. 

The  more  serious  injuries  depend  on  the  complications.  Rupture  of 
the  anterior  part  of  the  canal,  close  to  the  mouth  of  the  womb,  may 
lead  to  the  introduction  of  infecting  germs  into  the  cavity  of  the  abdo- 
men, or  protrusion  of  the  bowel  through  the  rent  and  externally,  either 
of  which  is  likely  to  prove  fatal.  If  both  these  conditions  are  escaped 
the  wound  may  heal  spontaneously.  Rupture  into  the  bladder  may 
lead  to  nothing  worse  than  a  constant  dribbling  of  urine  from  the  vulva. 
The  cow  should  be  fattened  if  she  survives.  Rupture  into  the  rectum 
will  entail  a  constant  escape  of  feces  through  the  vulva,  and  of  course 
the  same  condition  exists  when  the  anus  as  well  has  been  torn  open.  I 
have  successfully  sewed  up  an  opening  of  this  kind  in  the  mare,  but  in 
the  cow  it  is  probably  better  to  prepare  for  the  butcher. 

CLOTS   OF  BLOOD   IN   THE   WALLS   OF   THE  VAGINA. 

During  calving  the  vagina  may  be  bruised  so  as  to  cause  escape  of 
blood  beneath  the  mucous  membrane  and  its  coagulation  into  large 
bulging  clots.  The  vulva  may  appear  swollen,  and  on  separating  its 
lips  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  vagina  is  seen  to  be  raised  into  irreg- 
ular rounded  swellings  of  a  dark  blue  or  black  color,  and  which  pit  on 
pressure  of  the  finger.  If  the  accumulation  of  blood  is  not  extensive  it 
may  be  reabsorbed,  but  if  abundant  it  may  lead  to  irritation  and  dan- 
gerous inflammation,  and  should  be  incised  with  a  lancet  and  the  clots 
cleared  out.  The  wounds  may  then  be  sponged  twice  a  day  with  a 
lotion  made  with  1  dram  sulphate  of  zinc,  1  drain  carbolic  acid,  and  1 
quart  water. 

RETAINED   AFTERBIRTH. 

The  cow,  of  all  our  domestic  animals,  is  especially  subject  to  this  acci- 
dent. This  may  be  partly  accounted  for  by  the  firm  connections  estab- 
lished through  the  fifty  to  one  hundred  cotyledons  (Plate  xm,  Fig.  2) 
in  which  the  fetal  membranes  dovetail  with  the  follicles  of  the  womb. 
It  is  also  most  liable  to  occur  after  abortion,  in  which  preparation  has 
not  been  made  by  fatty  degeneration  for  the  severance  of  these  close 
connections.  In  the  occurrence  of  inflammation,  causing  the  formation 
of  new  tissue  between  the  membranes  and  the  womb,  we  find  the  occa- 
sion of  unnaturally  firm  adhesions  which  prevent  the  spontaneous 
detachment  of  the  membranes.  Again,  in  low  conditions  of  health  and 
an  imperfect  power  of  contraction  we  find  a  potent  cause  of  retention, 
the  general  debility  showing  particularly  in  the  indisposition  of  the 
womb  to  contract,  after  calving,  with  sufficient  energy  to  expel  the 
afterbirth.  Hence  we  find  the  condition  common  with  insufficient  or 
innutritions  food,  and  in  years  or  localities  in  which  the  fodder  has 
suffered  from  weather.  Ergoted  (Plato  V),  smutty  or  musty  fodder,  by 
causing  abortinnt  is  a  frequent  cause  of  retention.  Old  cows  arc  more 
24097 1C 


242  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

subject  than  young  ones,  probably  because  of  diminishing  vigor.  A 
temporary  retention  is  sometimes  due  to  a  too  rapid  closure  of  the  neck 
of  the  womb  after  calving,  causing  strangulation  and  imprisonment  of 
the  membranes.  Conditions  favoring  this  are  the  drinking  of  cold  (iced) 
•water,  the  eating  of  cold  food  (frosted  roots),  and  (through  sympathy 
between  udder  and  womb)  a  too  prompt  sucking  by  the  calf  or  milking 
by  the  attendant. 

The  symptoms  of  retention  of  the  afterbirth  are  usually  only  too  evi- 
dent, as  the  membranes  hang  from  the  vulva  and  rot  away  gradually, 
causing  the  most  offensive  odor  throughout  the  building.  When  re- 
tained within  the  womb  by  closure  of  its  mouth,  and  similarly  in 
cases  in  which  the  protruded  part  has  rotted  off,  the  decomposition 
continues  'and  the  fetid  products  escaping  by  the  vulva  appear  in  offen- 
sively smelling  pools  on  the  floor  and  mat  together  with  hairs  near  the 
root  of  the  tail.  The  septic  materials  retained  in  the  womb  cause  inflam- 
mation of  its  lining  membrane,  and  this,  together  with  the  absorption 
into  the  blood  of  the  products  of  putrefaction,  leads  to  ill  health,  ema- 
ciation, and  drying  up  of  the  milk. 

Treatment  will  vary  according  to  the  conditions.  When  the  cow  is  in 
low  condition,  or  when  retention  is  connected  with  drinking  iced  water 
or  eating  frozen  food,  hot  drinks  and  hot  mashes  of  wheat  bran  or  other 
aliment  may  be  all-sufficient.  If,  along  with  the  above  conditions,  the 
bowels  are  somewhat  confined,  an  ounce  of  ground  ginger,  or  half  an 
ounce  of  black  pepper,  given  with  a  quart  of  sweet  oil,  or  a  pound  and 
a  half  of  Glauber  salts,  the  latter  in  at  least  4  quarts  of  warm  water, 
will  often  prove  effectual.  A  bottle  or  two  of  flaxseed  tea,  made  by 
prolonged  boiling,  should  also  be  given  at  frequent  intervals.  Other 
stimulants,  like  rue,  savin,  laurel,  and  carrninitives  like  anise,  cumin, 
and  coriander  are  preferred  by  some,  but  with  very  questionable  reason, 
the  more  so  that  the  first  three  are  not  without  danger.  Ergot  of  rye, 
1  ounce,  or  extract  of  the  same,  1  dram,  may  be  resorted  to  to  induce 
contraction  of  the  womb.  The  mechanical  extraction  of  the  membranes 
is,  however,  often vcalled  for;  of  this  there  are  several  methods.  The 
simplest  is  to  hang  a  weight  of  1  or  2  pounds  to  the  hanging  por- 
tion, and  allow  this,  by  its  constant  dragging  and  by  its  jerking  effect 
•when  the  cow  moves,  to  pull  the  membranes  from  their  attachments 
and  to  stimulate  the  womb  to  expulsive  contractions.  But  in  the  neg- 
lected cases,  when  the  dependent  mass  is  already  badly  decomposed,  it 
is  liable  to  tear  across  under  the  added  weight,  leaving  a  portion  of  the 
offensive  material  imprisoned  in  the  womb.  Again,  this  uncontrolled 
dragging  upon  a  relaxed  womb  will  (in  exceptional  cases  only,  it  is 
trae)  cause  it  to  become  everted  and  to  protrude  in  this  condition  from 
the  vulva. 

A  second  resort  is  to  seize  the  dependent  part  of  the  afterbirth  be- 
tween two  sticks,  and  roll  it  up  on  these  until  they  lie  against  the  vulva; 
then,  by  careful  traction,  accompanied  by  slight  jerking  movements 


DISEASES   FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  243 

from  side  to  side,  the  womb  is  stimulated  to  expulsive  contractions  and 
the  afterbirth  is  wound  up  more  and  more  on  the  sticks  until,  finally, 
its  last  connections  with  the  womb  are  severed  and  the  remainder  is 
expelled  suddenly  en  masse.  It  is  quite  evident  that  neglected  cases 
with  putrid  membranes  are  poor  subjects  for  this,  method,  as  the  after- 
birth is  liable  to  tear  across,  leaving  a  mass  in  the  womb.  During  the 
progress  of  the  work  any  indication  of  tearing  is  the  signal  to  stop  and 
proceed  with  greater  caution,  or  altogether  abandon  the  attempt  in  this 
way. 

The  third  method  (that  with  the  skilled  hand)  is  the  most  promptly 
and  certainly  successful.  For  this  the  operator  had  best  strip  and 
;i>  for  a  parturition  case.  Again,  the  operation  should  be  under- 
taken within  twenty-four  hours  after  calving,  since,  later,  the  mouth  of 
the  womb  may  be  so  closed  that  it  becomes  difficult  to  introduce  the  hand. 
The  operator  should  smear  his  arms  with  carbolized  lard  or  vaseline  to 
protect  them  against  infection,  and  particularly  in  delayed  cases  with 
putrid  membranes.  An  assistant  holds  the  tail  to  one  side  while  the 
operator  seizes  the  hanging  afterbirth  with  the  left  hand,  while  he 
introduces  the  right  along  the  right  side  of  the  vagina  and  womb,  let- 
ting the  membranes  slide  through  his  palm  until  he  reaches  the  first 
cotyledon  to  which  they  remain  adherent.  In  case  no  such  connection 
is  within  reach,  gentle  traction  is  made  on  the  membranes  with  the  left 
hand  until  the  deeper  parts  of  the  womb  are  brought  within  reach,  and 
the  attachments  to  the  cotyledons  can  be  reached.  Then  the  soft  pro- 
jrrtion  of  the  membrane,  which  is  attached  to  the  firm  fungus-shaped 
cotyledon  on  the  inner  surface  of  the  womb,  is  seized  by  the  little 
finder,  and  the  other  fingers  and  thumb  are  closed  on  it  so  as  to  tear  it 
out  from  its  connections.  To  explain  this  it  is  only  necessary  to  say 
that  the  projection  from  the  membrane  is  covered  by  soft  conical  proc- 
esses, which  are  received  into  cavities  of  a  corresponding  size  on  the 
summit  of  the  firm  mushroom -shaped  cotyledon  growing  from  the  inner 
surface  of  the  womb.  To  draw  upon  the  former,  therefore,  is  to  extract 
its  soft  vilhms  processes  from  within  the  follicles  or  cavities  of  the  other. 
(Plate  XIII,  Fig.  2.)  If  it  is  at  times  difficult  to  start  this  extraction  it 
may  be  necessary  to  g«t  the  finger  nail  inserted  between  the  two,  and 
once  started  the  finger  may  bo  pushed  on,  lifting  all  the  villi  in  turn 
out  of  their  cavities.  This  process  of  separating  the  cotyledons  must  bo 
carefully  conducted,  one  after  another,  until  the  last  has  been  detached 
and  the  afterbirth  comes  freely  out  of  the  passages.  I  have  never  found 
any  evil  result  from  the  removal  of  the  whole  mass  at  one  operation, 
but  Shaack  mentions  the  eversion  of  the  womb  as  the  possible  result 
of  the  necessary  traction,  and  in  cases  in  which  those  in  the  most  dis- 
tant part  of  the  horn  of  the  womb  can  not  be  easily  reached.  h««  advises 
to  attach  a  cord  to  the  membranes  inside  the  vulva,  letting  it  hangout 
behind,  and  to  cut  off  the  membranes  below  the  cord.  Then,  after  two 
or  three  days'  delay,  he  extracts  the  remainder,  now  softened  and  easily 


244  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

detached.  If  carefully  conducted,  so  as  not  to  tear  the  cotyledons  of 
the  womb,  the  operation  is  eminently  successful;  the  cow  suffers  little, 
and  the  straining  roused  by  the  manipulations  soon  subsides.  Keeping 
in  a  quiet,  dark  place,  or  driving  a  short  distance  at  a  walking  pace, 
will  serve  to  quiet  these.  When  the  membranes  have  been  withdrawn 
the  hand,  half  closed,  may  be  used  to  draw  out  of  the  womb  the  offensive 
liquid  that  has  collected.  If  the  case  is  a  neglected  one,  and  the  dis- 
charge is  very  offensive,  the  womb  must  be  injected  as  for  leucorrhcea. 

INFLAMMATION   OF   THE  VAGINA — VAGINITIS. 

This  may  occur  independently  of  inflammation  of  the  womb,  and  usually 
as  the  result  of  bruises,  lacerations,  or  other  injuries  sustained  during 
calving.  It  will  be  shown  by  swelling  of  the  lips  of  the  vulva,  which, 
together  with  their  lining  membrane,  become  of  a  dark  red  or  leaden 
hue,  and  the  mucous  discharge  increases  and  becomes  whitish  or  pur- 
ulent, and  it  may  be  fetid.  Slight  cases  recover  spontaneously,  or 
under  warm  fomentations  or  mild  astringent  injections  (a  teaspoouful 
of  carbolic  acid  in  a  quart  of  water),  but  severe  cases  may  go  on  to  the 
formation  of  large  sores  (ulcers),  or  considerable  portions  of  the  mucous 
membrane  may  die  and  slough  off.  Baumeister  records  two  cases  of 
diphtheritic  vaginitis,  the  second  case  in  a  cow  four  weeks  calved,  con- 
tracted from  the  first  in  a  newly  calved  cow.  Both  proved  fatal,  with 
formation  of  false  membranes  as  far  as  the  interior  of  the  womb.  In 
all  severe  cases  the  antiseptic  injections  must  be  applied  most  assidu- 
ously. The  carbolic  acid  may  be  increased  to  one-half  ounce  to  a  quart, 
or  chlorine  water,  or  peroxide  of  hydrogen  solution  may  be  injected  at 
least  three  times  a  day.  Hyposulphite  of  soda,  1  ounce  to  a  quart  of 
water,  is  an  excellent  application,  and  the  same  amount  may  be  given 
by  the  mouth. 

LEUCORRHCEA — MUCO-PURULENT  DISCHARGE  FROM  THE  PASSAGES. 

This  is  due  to  a  continued  or  chronic  inflammation  of  the  womb,  the 
vagina,  or  both.  It  usually  results  from  injuries  sustained  in  calving, 
or  from  irritation  by  putrid  matters  in  connection  with  retained  after- 
birth, or  from  the  use  of  some  object  in  the  vagina  (pessary)  to  prevent 
eversion  of  the  womb.  Exposure  to  cold  or  other  cause  of  disturbance 
of  the  health  may  affect  an  organ  so  susceptible  as  this  at  the  time  of 
parturition  so  as  to  cause  inflammation. 

The  main  symptom  is  the  glairy  white  discharge  flowing  constantly 
or  intermittently  (when  the  cow  lies  down),  soiling  the  tail  and  matting 
its  hairs  and  those  of  the  vulva.  When  the  lips  of  the  vulva  are  drawn 
apart  the  mucous  membrane  is  seen  to  be  red  with  minute  elevations, 
or  pale  and  smooth.  The  health  may  not  suffer  at  first,  but  if  the  dis- 
charge continues  and  is  putrid  the  health  fails,  the  milk  shrinks,  and 
flesh  is  lost.  If  the  womb  is  involved  the  hand  introduced  into  the 
vagina  may  detect  the  mouth  of  the  womb  slightly  open  and  the  liquid 


DISEASES   FOLLOWING   PARTURITION.  245 

collected  within  its  cavity.  Examination  with  the  oiled  hand  in  the 
rectum  may  detect  the  outline  of  the  womb  beneath,  somewhat  enlarged, 
and  fluctuating  under  the  touch  from  contained  fluid.  In  some  cases 
heat  is  more  frequent  or  intense  than  natural,  but  the  animal  rarely 
conceives  when  served,  and  if  she  does  is  likely  to  abort. 

Treatment  with  the  injections  advised  for  vagiuitis  is  successful  in 
mild  or  recent  cases.  In  obstinate  ones  stronger  solutions  may  be  used 
after  the  womb  has  been  washed  out  by  a  stream  of  tepid  water  until 
it  comes  clear.  A  rubber  tube  is  inserted  into  the  womb,  a  funnel 
placed  in  its  raised  end,  and  the  water  and  afterward  the  solution 
poured  slowly  through  this.  If  the  neck  of  the  womb  is  so  close  that 
the  liquid  can  not  escape,  a  second  tube  may  be  inserted  to  drain  it  off. 
As  injections  maybe  used  chloride  of  zinc,  one-half  dram  to  the  quart  of 
water,  or  sulphate  of  iron  1  dram  to  the  quart.  Three  drams  of  sul- 
phate of  iron  and  one-half  ounce  ground  ginger  may  also  be  given  in 
the  food  daily. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  WOMB— METBITIS — INFLAMMATION   OF   WOMB 
AND  ABDOMEN — METRO-PERITONITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  womb  may  be  slight  or  violent,  simple  or  asso- 
ciated with  putrefaction  of  its  liquid  contents  and  general  poisoning,  or 
it  may  extend  so  that  the  inflammation  affects  the  lining  membrane  of 
the  whole  abdominal  cavity.  In  the  last  two  cases  the  malady  is  a  very 
grave  one.  The  causes  are  largely  the  same  as  those  causing  inflam- 
mation of  the  vagina.  Greater  importance  must,  however,  be  attached 
to  exposure  to  cold  and  wet,  and  septic  infection. 

The  symptoms  appear  two  or  three  days  after  calving,  when  the  cow 
may  be  seen  to  shiver,  or  the  hair  stands  erect,  especially  along  the 
spine,  and  the  horns,  ears,  and  limbs  are  cold.  The  temperature  in  the 
rectum  is  elevated  by  one  or  two  decrees,  the  pulse  is  small,  hard,  and 
rapid  (70  to  100),  appetite  is  lost,  rumination  ceases,  and  the  milk 
shrinks  in  quantity  or  is  entirely  arrested,  and  the  breathing  is  hurried. 
The  hind  limbs  may  shift  uneasily,  the  tail  be  twisted,  the  head  and 
eyes  turn  to  the  right  flank,  and  the  teeth  are  ground.  With  the  flush 
of  heat  to  the  horns  and  other  extremities,  there  is  redness  of  the  eyes, 
nose,  and  mouth,  and  usually  a  dark  redness  about  the  vulva.  Pressure 
on  the  right  flank  gives  manifest  pain,  causing  moaning  or  grunting, 
and  the  hind  limbs  arc  moved  stiflly,  extremely  so  if  the  general  lining 
of  the  abdomen  is  involved.  In  severe  cases  the  cow  lies  down  and  can 
not  be  made  to  rise.  There  is  usually  marked  thirst,  the  bowels  are 
costive,  and  dung  is  passed  with  pain  and  effort.  The  hand  inserted 
into  the  vagina  perceives  the  increased  heat,  and  when  the  neck  of  the 
womb  is  touched  the  cow  winces  with  pain.  Examination  through  the 
rectum  detects  enlargement  and  tenderness  of  the  womb.  The  discharge 
from  the  vulva  is  at  first  watery,  but  becomes  thick,  yellow,  and  finally 
red  or  brown,  with  u  heavy  or  fetid  odor.  Some  cases  recover  speedily 
and  may  be  almost  well  in  a  couple  of  days;  a  large  proportion  perish 


246  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

within  two  days  of  the  attack, 'and  some  merge  into  the  chronic  form, 
terminating  in  Ieucorrho3ai  In  the  worst  cases  there  is  local  septic  in- 
fection and  ulceration,  or  even  gangrene  of  the  parts,  OD  there  is  gen- 
eral septicaemia,  or  the  inflammation  involving  the  veins  of  the  womb 
causes  coagulation  of  the  blood  contained  in  them,  and  the  washing  out 
of  the  clots  to  the  right  heart  and  lungs  leads  to  blocking  of  the  vessels 
in  the  latter  and  complicating  pneumonia.  Inflammations  of  the  womb 
and  passages  after  calving  are  always  liable  to  these  complications, 
and  consequently  to  a  fatal  issue.  Franck  records  three  instances  of 
rapidly  fatal  metritis  in  cows,  all  of  which  had  been  poisoned  from  an 
adjacent  cow  with  retained  and  putrid  afterbirth.  Others  have  had 
similar  cases. 

Treatment  in  the  slight  cases  of  simple  inflammation  does  not  differ 
much  from  that  adopted  for  vaginitis,  only  care  must  be  taken  that 
the  astringent  and  antiseptic  injections  are  made  to  penetrate  into  the 
womb.  After  having  washed  out  the  womb  a  solution  of  chloride  of 
lime  or  permanganate  of  potash  (1  ounce  to  1  quart  of  water),  with  an 
ounce  each  of  glycerine  and  laudanum  to  render  it  more  soothing,  will 
often  answer  every  purpose.  It  is  usually  desirable  to  open  the  bowels 
with  1£  pounds  Glauber  salts  and  1  ounce  ginger  in  4  quarts  of  warm 
water,  and  to  apply  fomentations  of  warm  water  or  even  mustard  poul- 
tices or  turpentine  to  the  right  flank. 

In  the  violent  attacks  with  high  temperature  and  much  prostration, 
besides  the  salts,  agents  must  be  given  to'  lower  the  temperature  and 
counteract  septic  poisoning.  Salicylate  of  soda  one-half  ounce,  or  quinia 
2  drams,  repeated  every  four  hours,  will  help  in  both  ways,  or  ounce 
doses  of  hyposulphite  of  soda  or  dram  doses  of  carbolic  acid  may  be 
given  at  equal  intervals  until  six  doses  have  been  taken.  Tincture  of 
aconite  has  often  been  used  in  20-drop  doses  every  six  hours.  If  the 
temperature  rises  to  106°  or  107°  F.,  it  must  be  met  by  the  direct  appli- 
cation of  cold  or  iced  water  to  the  surface.  The  animal  may  be  covered 
with  wet  sheets,  and  cold  water  poured  on  these  at  intervals  until  the 
temperature  in  the  rectum  is  lowered  to  102°  F.  In  summer  the  cow 
may  be  allowed  to  dry  spontaneously,  while  in  winter  it  should  be 
rubbed  dry  and  blanketed.  Even  in  the  absence  of  high  temperature 
much  good  may  be  obtained  from  the  soothing  influence  of  a  wet  sheet 
covering  the  loins  and  flanks  and  well  covered  at  all  points  by  a  dry 
one.  This  may  be  followed  next  day  by  a  free  application  of  mustard 
and  oil  of  turpentine.  When  the  animal  shows  extreme  prostration 
alcohol  (1  pint)  or  carbonate  of  ammonia  (1  ounce)  maybe  given  to  tide 
over  the  danger,  but  such  cases  usually  perish. 

In  this  disease,  even  more  than  in  difficult  and  protracted  parturition 
or  retained  placenta,  the  attendants  must  carefully  guard  against  the 
infection  of  their  hands  and  arms  from  the  diseased  parts.  The  hand 
and  arm  before  entering  the  passage's  should  always  be  well  smeared 
with  lard  impregnated  with  carbolic  acid. 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING   PARTURITION.  247 

MILK  FEVER — PARTURITION  FEVER — PARTURIENT  APOPLEXY — PAR- 
TURIENT COLLAPSE. 

This  disease  is  not  only  peculiar  to  the  cow,  but  it  may  be  said  to  be 
virtually  confined  to  the  improved  and  plethoric  cow.  It  further  occurs 
only  at  or  near  the  time  of  calving.  Indeed,  these  two  factors,  calving 
and  plethora,  may  be  set  apart  as  preeminently  the  causes  of  this  dis- 
ease. It  is  the  disease  of  cows  that  have  been  improved  in  the  direc- 
tion of  early  maturity,  power  of  rapid  fattening,  or  a  heavy  yield  of 
milk,  and  hence  it  is  characteristic  of  those  having  great  appetites  and 
extraordinary  power  of  digestion.  The  heavy  milking  breeds  are  espe- 
cially its  victims,  as  in  these  the  demand  for  the  daily  yield  of  50  to  100 
pounds  of  milk  means  even  more  than  a  daily  increase  of  2  to  3  pounds  of 
body  weight,  mainly  fat.  The  victims  are  not  always  fat  when  attacked, 
but  they  are  cows  having  enormous  powers  of  digestion,  and  which 
have  been  fed  heavily  at  the  time.  Hence  the  stall-fed  city  dairy  cow, 
and  the  farm  cow  on  a  rich  clover  pasture  in  June  or  July,  are  espe- 
cially subject.  The  condition  of  the  blood  globules  in  the  suffering  cow 
attest  the  extreme  richness  and  density  of  the  blood,  yet  this  peculiar- 
ity appears  to  have  entirely  escaped  the  notice  of  veterinary  writers. 
1  have  never  examined  the  blood  of  a  victim  of  this  disease  without  find- 
ing the  red  blood- globules  reduced  to  little  more  than  one-half  their 
usual  size.  Now,  these  globules  expand  or  contract  according  to  the 
density  of  the  liquid  in  which  they  float.  If  we  dilute  the  blood  with 
water  they  will  expand  until  they  burst,  whereas  if  solids,  such  as  salt 
(ii  albumen,  arc  added  they  shrink  to  a  large  extent.  Their  small  size, 
therefore,  in  parturition  fever  indicates  the  extreme  richness  of  the 
blood,  or,  in  other  words,  plethora. 

Confinement  in  the  stall  is  an  accessory  cause,  partly  because  stabled 
cattle  are  highly  fed,  partly  because  the  air  is  hotter  and  fouler,  and 
partly  because  there  is  no  expenditure  by  exercise  of  the  rich  products 
of  digestion. 

High  temperature  is  conducive  to  the  malady,  though  the  extreme 
colds  of  winter  are  no  protection  against  it.  Heat,  however,  conduces 
to  fever,  and  fever  means  lessened  secretion,  which  means  a  plethoric 
Stan-  of  the  circulation.  The  heats  of  summer  are,  however,  often  only 
a  coincidence  of  the  real  cause,  the  mature  rich  pastures  and  especially 
the  clover  ones  being  the  greater. 

Electrical  disturbance*  have  an  influence  of  a  .similar  kind,  disturbing 
the  functions  of  the  taxly,  and  favoring  sudden  variations  in  the  circula- 
tion. A  succe»i<  in  of  cases  of  the  malady  often  accompany  or  precede 
a  change  of  weather  from  dry  to  wet,  from  a  low  to  a  high  barometric 
preMure. 

Co»tircnex9,  which  is  the  usual  concomitant  of  fever,  may  in  a  case  of 
this  kind  lu'come  an  accessory  cause,  the  retention  in  the  blond  of  what 
should  liave  passed  oil'  by  the  t>n\vc)s  tending  to  increase  the  fulness  of 
the  blood  vessels  ami  the  density  of  the  blood. 


248  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Mature  age  is  a  very  strong  accessory  cause.  The  disease  never 
occurs  with  the  first  parturition,  and  rarely  with  the  second.  It  appears 
with  the  third,  fourth,  fifth,  or  sixth,  after  the  growth  of  the  cow  has 
ceased,  and  when  all  her  powers  are  devoted  to  the  production  of  milk. 

Calving  is  an  essential  condition,  as  the  disturbance  of  the  circulation, 
consequent  on  the  contraction  of  the  womb  and  the  expulsion  into  the 
general  circulation  of  the  enormous  mass  of  blood  hitherto  circulating 
in  the  walls  of  the  womb,  fills  to  repletion  the  vessels  of  the  rest  of  the 
body,  and  very  greatly  intensifies  the  already  existing  plethora.  If 
this  is  not  speedily  counterbalanced  by  a  free  secretion  from  the  udder, 
kidneys,  bowels,  and  other  excretory  organs,  the  most  dire  results  may 
ensue.  Calving  may  thus  be  held  to  be  an  exciting  cause,  and  yet  the 
labor  and  fatigue  of  the  act  are  not  active  factors.  It  is  after  the  easy 
calving,  when  there  has  been  little  expenditure  of  muscular  or  nervous 
energy,  and  no  loss  of  blood,  that  this  malady  is  seen.  Difficult  par- 
turitions may  be  followed  by  metritis,  but  they  are  rarely  connected 
with  parturition  fever. 

All  these  factors  coincide  in  intensifying  the  one  condition  of  ple- 
thora, and  point  to  that  as  the  most  essential  cause  of  this  affection. 
It  is  needless  to  enter  here  into  the  much-debated  question  as  to  the 
mode  ill  which  the  plethora  brings  about  the  characteristic  symptoms 
and  results.  As  the  results  show  disorder  or  suspension  of  the  nerv- 
ous functions  mainly,  it  may  suffice  to  say  that  this  condition  of  the 
blood  and  blood-vessels  is  incompatible  with  the  normal  functional 
activity  of  the  nerve  centers.  How  much  is  due  to  congestion  of  the 
brain  and  how  much  to  bloodlessness  may  well  be  debated,  yet  in  a 
closed  box  like  the  cranium,  in  which  the  absolute  contents  can  not  be 
appreciably  increased  or  diminished,  it  is  evident  that  apart  from  drop- 
sical effusion  or  inflammatory  exudation,  there  can  only  be  a  given 
amount  of  blood;  therefore,  if  one  portion  of  the  brain  is  congested 
another  must  be  proportionately  bloodless,  and  as  congestion  of  the 
eyes  and  head  generally,  and  great  heat  of  the  head  are  most  promi- 
nent features  of  the  disease,  congestion  of  the  brain  must  be  accepted. 
This,  of  course,  implies  a  lack  of  blood  in  certain  other  parts  or  blood- 
vessels. 

Symptoms. — There  may  be  said  to  be  two  extreme  types  of  this  dis- 
ease with  intervening  grades.  In  both  forms  there  is  the  characteris- 
tic plethora,  and  more  or  less  sudden  loss  ot  voluntary  movement  and 
sensation  indicating  a  sudden  collapse  of  nervous  poAver,  but  in  one 
there  is  such  prominent  evidence  of  congestion  of  head  and  brain  that 
it  may  be  called  the  congestive  form,  par  excellence,  without  thereby 
intimating  that  the  torpid  form  is  independent  of  congestion. 

In  the  congestive  form  there  is  sudden  dullness,  languor,  hanging  back 
in  the  stall,  or  drooping  the  head,  uneasy  movements  of  the  hind  limbs 
or  tail;  if  the  cow  is  moved  she  steps  unsteadily  or  even  staggers;  she 
no  longer  notices  her  calf  or  her  food;  the  eyes  appear  red  and  their 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  249 

pupils  dilated ;  the  weakness  increases  aud  the  cow  lies  down  or  falls 
and  is  thenceforward  unable  to  rise.  At  this  time  the  pulse  is  usually 
full  and  bounding  and  the  temperature  raised ;  the  head,  horns,  and  ears 
being  especially  hot  and  the  veins  of  the  head  full,  while  the  visible 
mucous  membranes  of  nose  and  eyes  are  deeply  congested.  The  cow 
may  lie  on  her  breastbone  with  her  feet  beneath  the  body  and  her  head 
turned  sleepily  round,  with  the  nose  resting  on  the  right  flank ;  or,  if 
worse,  she  may  be  stretched  full  on  her  side,  with  even  the  head, 
extended,  though  at  times  it  is  suddenly  raised  and  again  dashed  back 
on  the  ground.  At  such  times  the  legs,  fore  and  hind,  struggle  con- 
vulsively, evidently  through  unconscious  nervous  spasm.  By  this  time 
the  unconsciousness  is  usually  complete;  the  eyes  are  glazed,  their 
pupils  widely  dilated,  and  their  lids  are  not  moved  when  the  ball  of  the 
eye  is  touched  with  the  finger.  Pricking  the  skin  with  a  pin  also  fails 
to  bring  any  wincing  or  other  response.  The  pulse,  at  first  from  50  to 
70  per  minute,  becomes  more  accelerated  and  weaker  as  the  disease 
advances.  The  breathing  is  quickened,  becoming  more  and  more  so 
with  the  violence  of  the  symptoms,  and  at  first  associated  with  moan- 
ing (in  exceptional  cases  bellowing),  it  may,  before  death,  become  slow, 
deep,  sighing,  or  rattling  (stertorous).  The  temperature,  at  first  usu- 
ally raised,  tends  to  become  lower  as  stupor  and  utter  insensibility  and 
coma  supervene.  The  bowels,  which  may  have  moved  at  the  onset  of 
the  attack,  become  torpid  or  completely  paralyzed,  and,  unless  in  case  of 
improvement,  they  are  not  likely  to  operate  again.  Yet  this  is  the  result 
of  paralysis  and  not  of  induration  of  the  feces,  as  often  shown  by  the 
semiliquid  ptiltaceous  condition  of  the  contents  after  death.  The  blad- 
der, too,  is  paralyzed  and  fails  to  expel  its  contents.  A  free  action  of 
either  bladder  or  bowels  or  of  both  is  always  a  favorable  symptom. 
The  milk  secretion  may  fail,  yet  often  the  udder  continues  to  yield  its 
product  for  a  considerable  time,  and  to  draw  off  this  and  encourage  free 
secretion  by  rubbing  is  always  indicated. 

In  nearly  all  cases  the  torpor  of  the  digestive  organs  results  in  gas- 
tric disorder;  the  paunch  becomes  the  seat  of  fermentation,  producing 
gas  which  causes  it  to  bloat  up  like  a  drum.  There  arc  frequent  eruc- 
tations of  gas  and  liquid  and  solid  food,  which,  reaching  the  paralyzed 
throat,  puss  in  part  into  the  windpipe  and  cause  inilninmations  of  the 
air  passages  and  lungs. 

In  the  torpid  form  of  the  disease  there  is  much  less  indication  of 
fever  or  violence.  There  may  be  no  special  heat  about  the  horns,  cars, 
or  forehead,  nor  any  marked  redness  or  congestion  of  the  eyes  or  nose, 
nor  engorgement  of  the  veins  of  the  head.  The  attack  comes  on  more 
slowly,  with  apparent  weakness  of  the  hind  limbs,  dullness,  drowsiness, 
suspension  of  rumination  and  appetite,  and  a  general  indifference  to 
Hurroundinj;-  objects.  Soon  the  cow  lies  down,  or  falls  and  is  unable  to 
rise,  but  for  one  or  two  days  she  may  rest  on  the  breastbone  and  hold 
the  head  in  the  ilank  without  showing  any  disorderly  movements. 


250  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Meanwhile  there  is  not  only  loss  of  muscular  power  and  inability  to 
stand,  but  also  considerable  dullness  of  sensation,  pricking  the  skin 
producing  no  quick  response,  and  even  touching  the  edge  of  the  eye- 
lids causing  no  very  prompt  winking.  Unless  she  gets  relief,  however, 
the  case  develops  all  the  advanced  symptoms  of  the  more  violent  form 
and  the  animal  perishes. 

In  advanced  and  fatal  cases  of  either  form  the  insensibility  becomes 
complete;  no  irritation  of  skin  or  eye  meets  any  response;  the  eye 
becomes  more  dull  and  glassy;  the  head  rests  on  the  ground  or  other 
object;  unless  prevented  the  cow  lies  stretched  fully  on  her  side;  the 
pulse  is  small,  rapid,  and  finally  imperceptible;  the  breathing  is  slow, 
deep,  stertorous,  and  the  expirations  accompanied  by  puffing  out  of  the 
cheeks,  and  death  comes  quietly  or  with  accompanying  struggles. 

For  such  fatal  disease  prevention  is  of  far  more  consequence  than 
treatment.  Among  the  most  efficient  preventives  may  be  named  a  spare 
diet  (amounting  to  actual  starvation  in  very  plethoric,  heavy-milking 
cows),  for  a  week  before  calving  and  at  least  four  days  after.  A  free 
access  to  salt  and  water  is  most  important,  as  the  salt  favors  drinking 
and  the  water  serves  to  dilute  the  rich  and  dense  blood.  Iced  water, 
however,  is  undesirable,  as  a  chill  may  favor  the  onset  of  fever.  A  dose 
of  Epsom  salts  (1  to  2  pounds)  should  be  given  twelve  to  twenty -four 
hours  before  calving  is  due,  so  that  it  may  operate  at  or  just  before  that 
act.  In  case  calving  has  occurred  unexpectedly  in  the  heavy  milker, 
lose  no  time  in  giving  the  purgative  thereafter.  If  Epsom  salts  are  not 
at  hand  use  saltpeter  (1  ounce)  for  several  days.  If  the  udder  is  greatly 
engorged  before  calving  it  may  be  milked  for  several  days  before,  and 
should  be  not  less  than  thrice  a  day  after.  A  hungry  calf  is  a  good 
auxiliary,  but  for  a  very  heavy  milker  the  new-born  calf  gives  but  a 
very  imperfect  relief,  and  must  be  supplemented  by  the  hand  of  the 
milker.  Daily  exercise  is  also  of  importance,  and  excepting  in  mid- 
summer, when  the  heat  of  the  sun  may  be  injurious,  the  value  of  open 
air  is  unquestionable.  Even  in  summer  an  open  shed  or  shady  grove  is 
incomparably  better  than  a  close,  stuffy  stall.  A  rich  pasture  (clover 
especially),  in  late  May,  June,  or  July,  when  at  its  best,  is  to  be  care- 
fully avoided.  Better  keep  the  cow  indoors  on  dry  straw  with  plenty 
of  salt  and  water  than  to  have  access  to  such  pastures.  It  is  safest  to 
avoid  breeding  again  from  a  cow  that  has  once  suffered. 

Treatment  of  the  most  varied  kind  has  succeeded  in  particular  cases 
and  failed  in  others.  Cows  attacked  in  the  first  two  days  after  calving 
usually  die,  but  not  always ;  those  attacked  at  the  end  of  a  week  nearly 
all  recover.  In  those  attacked  from  the  third  to  the  seventh  day  the 
mortality  steadily  decreases.  In  the  following  suggestions  for  treat- 
orient  a  distinction  is  made  between  the  two  extreme  types  of  the  dis- 
ease— the  congestive  and  the  pareiic,  or  tvrpid. 

If  the  cow  is  seen  before  she  goes  down  the  abstraction  of  blood  is 
demanded,  and  may  usually  be  carried  to  the  extent  of  4  or  even  C 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING   PARTURITION.  251 

quarts.  The  fullness  and  force  of  the  pulse  must  determine  the  amount : 
if  it  is  weak  and  rapid  or  scarcely  perceptible  the  vein  must  be  instantly 
closed,  and  it  may  even  be  necessary  to  give  ammoniacal  stimulants. 
If  the  cow  is  lying  down,  unable  to  rise,  and  above  all  if  no  winking  is 
caused  by  touching  the  eyeball,  bleeding  must  be  done,  if  at  all,  with 
great  precaution.  A  pint  or  a  quart  may  be  all  that  can  be  safely  taken, 
and  in  case  the  pulse  has  been  small  and  weak  no  more  should  be  drawn 
unless  the  pulse-beat  strengthens.  The  fatal  collapse  already  threat- 
ening is  often  precipitated  by  unguarded  bleeding.  The  jugular  vein 
may  be  opened  as  coming  directly  from  the  brain,  and  as  the  object  is 
to  lessen  the  density  of  the  blood  and  the  tension  in  the  Jt>lood  vessels 
without  shock,  it  is  not  so  essential  to  draw  it  in  a  full  stream  as  in 
other  cases  of  blood-letting.  As  the  blood  is  withdrawn  the  place  is 
speedily  taken  by  liquids  (mainly  water),  absorbed  from  all  available 
parts  of  the  body,  and  thus  the  blood  is  helpfully  diluted. 

It  is  a  good  practice  to  give  a  dose  of  purgative  medicine  (Epsom 
salts  2  pounds,  carbonate  of  ammonia  £  ounce,  nux  vomica  i  dram).  II 
it  is  absorbed  it  will  find  its  way  to  the  bowels  and  start  active  secretion, 
thereby  relieving  the  plethora ;  if  it  is  not  absorbed  it  will  do  no  harm. 
Enemas  of  warm  water  and  soap  or  oil  may  be  beneficially  employed. 

Iced  water  or  bags  of  ice  to  the  head  (tied  around  the  horns  and 
covering  the  forehead  and  upper  part  of  the  neck),  are  of  the  very 
greatest  value  in  cases  in  which  the  heat  of  the  horns,  ears,  and  head, 
the  redness  of  the  eyes  and  fixed  dilatation  of  the  pupils,  are  marked 
features.  Like  bleeding,  it  may  be  uncalled  for  in  those  cases  in  which 
the  heat  and  general  congestion  of  the  head  are  absent. 

In  these  congestive  cases,  too,  benefit  is  often  derived  from  large  and 
frequent  doses  (20-  drops  every  four  hours)  of  tincture  of  aconite.  It 
acts  not  alone  as  a  sedative  to  the  heat  and  circulation,  but  al.so  by 
favoring  a  free  circulation  in  the  skin.  In  what  may  be  called  the  non 
congestive  cases  it  is  of  little  avail. 

Harms  claims  excellent  results  from  large  doses  of  tartar  emetic,  1 
ounce  for  the  first  dose,  3  drams  more  after  four  hours,  and  2  drams 
after  four  hours.  If  absorbed  it  will  act  after  the  manner  of  aconite 
as  a  sedative  by  causing  a  free  circulation  in  the  skin. 

This  increased  circulation  in  the  skin  servos  to  draw  away  bhxxl 
from  the  internal  organs,  and  thus  to  relieve  the  brain,  and  to  secure 
the  same  result  a  variety  of  resorts  are  had  with  varying  success  in 
different  cases.  The  application  of  hot  (almost  scalding)  water  to  tlu 
back  and  loins,  or  to  the  limbs,  acts  in  this  way.  So  do  mustard  pi. is 
tors,  frictions  with  oil  of  turpentine,  the  prolonged  movement  over  tin- 
part  of  a  hot  smoothing  iron  with  a  thin  cloth  between  it  and  the  skin, 
or  finally  the  application  of  strong  liquor  ammonia,  covered  up  foi 
fifteen  minutes  with  a  close  rug. 

In  cases  with  a  high  Ixxly  temperature  an  excellent  plan  is  to  wrap 
the  whole  Ixxly  in  a  blanket  slightly  wrung  out  of  cold  water,  and  cover 


252  DISEASES    OP    CATTLE. 

this  closely  at  all  points  with  dry  blankets  to  exclude  the  air  and  pre- 
vent evaporation  and  cooling.  In  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  a  reaction 
will  have  taken  place,  the  whole  body  will  have  been  cooled  somewhat 
by  the  blood  returning  from  the  skin  since  the  blanket  was  applied,  and 
the  free  perspiration  will  now  serve  to  relieve  both  by  cooling  and  by 
carrying  off  waste  matters  from  the  blood.  This  may  be  repeated  sev- 
eral times  a  day  if  the  temperature  rises  again.  In  cold  weather  the 
skin  should  be  rubbed  dry  on  each  occasion. 

A  similar  method  of  drawing  off  the  blood  from  the  brain  is  by  fre- 
quent rubbing  of  the  udder  and  drawing  off  the  milk. 

In  case  of,  extreme  prostration  and  weak  pulse  one-half  ounce  car- 
bonate of  ammonia  may  be  given  and  repeated  at  the  end  of  an  hour 
or  two  if  needed.  It  may  be  given  as  a  roller-formed  bolus  made  up 
with  a  very  little  flour  to  give  it  consistency,  or  if  the  cow  can  not 
swallow  it  may  be  dissolved  in  water  and  poured  through  a  probang 
(Plate  in.  Fig.  2),  or  tube  introduced  into  the  stomach. 

Bloating  of  the  left  side  (paunch)  is  a  common  and  dangerous  com- 
plication of  the  disease,  as  it  at  once  aggravates  the  pressure  on  the 
brain,  partly  by  expression  of  blood  from  the  abdominal  organs  and 
partly  by  nervous  action  through  the  vagus  and  sympathetic  nerves. 
It  may  often  be  checked  by  the  use  of  carbonate  of  ammonia;  or  hypo- 
sulphite of  soda  (£  ounce)  may  be  substituted;  or  oil  of  turpentine 
(1  ounce).  In  obstinate  cases  the  paunch  should  be  punctured  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  left  flank  by  a  trocar  and  canula  (Plate  in,  Figs.  5a 
and  56),  and  the  latter  left  in  place  until  it  is  no  longer  needed. 

Another  most  important  precaution  is  to  draw  off  the  urine  from 
the  bladder  several  times  a  day,  as  a  full  bladder  greatly  aggravates 
the  case. 

A  weak  induction  current  of  electricity  may  be  sent  through  the 
brain  for  ten  minutes  at  a  time  in  cases  of  extreme  insensibility,  and 
through  the  affected  limb  in  case  of  remaining  paralysis. 

In  the  torpid  or  noncongestive  form  of  the  disease,  the  treatment  is 
the  same  as  regards  purgatives,  stimulants,  nux  vomica,  antiseptics 
for  bloating,  attention  to  the  bladder  and  udder,  counterirritants  to 
spine  or  limbs,  and  even  bleeding.  The  cold,  wet  sheets,  and  even  the 
ice  to  the  head,  may  often  be  dispensed  with. 

One  other  precaution  maybe  named  applicable  to  all  cases,  but  espe- 
cially so  to  the  more  distinctly  congestive  ones.  This  is  to  keep  the 
head  above  the  level  of  the  body  and  prevent  injury  from  the  striking 
of  it  on  the  ground  or  other  hard  body.  The  cow  is  to  be  packed  up 
with  bundles  or  bags  of  straw  against  the  shoulders  and  hips,  so  as  to 
let  her  rest  on  her  breast  and  belly  with  her  limbs  under  her.  Then 
the  head  and  neck  are  to  be  similarly  supported,  so  as  to  keep  them 
elevated  and  give  them  a  soft  yielding  cushion  if  dashed  from  side  to 
side.  It  may  be  even  desirable  to  support  the  head  by  a  rope  round 
the  horns,  or  a  halter,  the  end  of  which  is  passed  over  a  beam  above. 


DISEASES   FOLLOWING   PARTURITION.  253 

This  serves  to  unload  the  head,  by  favoring  the  gravitation  backward 
of  its  blood,  and  protects  the  brain  against  injurious  shocks. 

Cases  often  recover  very  quickly.  A  cow  is  found  up  and  eating 
which  was  down  utterly  insensible  a  few  hours  before.  Others  recover 
more  slowly,  and  require  careful,  restricted  feeding  and  a  daily  dose  of 
saltpeter  and  nux  vomica  for  several  days.  Other  complications  must 
be  met  according  to  their  nature. 

PALSY  AFTER  CALVING— DROPPING  AFTER  CALVING. 

This  consists  in  a  more  or  less  complete  loss  of  control  of  the  hind 
limbs  occurring  after  calving,  and  duo  either  to  low  condition,  weak- 
ness and  exposure  to  cold,  or  to  injurious  compression  of  the  nerves  of 
the  hind  limbs  by  a  large  calf  passing  through  the  pelvis.  Its  symp- 
toms do  not  diflTer  from  those  of  palsy  of  the  hind  limbs,  occurring  at 
other  times,  and  it  may  be  treated  in  the  same  way,  excepting  so  far 
as  bruises  of  the  vagina  may  demand  special  soothing  treatment. 

CONGESTION  OF  THE  UDDER — GARGET. 

In  heavy  milkers,  -before  and  just  after  calving,  it  is  the  rule  that  the 
mammary  gland  is  enlarged,  hot,  tense  and  tender,  and  that  a  slight 
exudation  or  pasty  swelling  extends  forward  from  the  gland  on  tho 
lower  surface  of  the  abdomen.  This  physiological  congestion  is  looked 
upon  as  a  matter  of  course,  and  disappears  in  two  or  three  days  when 
the  secretion  of  milk  has  been  fully  established.  This  breaking  up  of 
the  bag  may  be  greatly  hastened  by  the  sucking  of  a  hungry  calf,  and 
the  kneading  it  gives  the  udder  with  its  nose,  by  stripping  the  glands 
clean  thrice  daily,  and  by  active  rubbing  at  each  milking  witli  the 
palm  of  the  hand,  with  or  without  lard,  or,  better,  with  camphorated 
ointment. 

The  congestion  may  be  at  times  aggravated  by  standing  in  a  draft  of 
cold  air,  or  by  neglect  to  milk  for  an  entire  day  or  more  (overstocking, 
hefting)  with  the  view  of  making  a  great  show  of  udder  for  purposes  of 
sale.  In  such  cases  the  surface  of  the  bag  pits  on  pressure,  and  the 
milk  has  a  reddish  tinge  or  even  streaks  of  blood,  or  it  is  partially  or 
fully  clotted  and  i.s  drawn  with  difficulty,  mixed,  it  may  l>e,  with  a  yel- 
lowish serum  (whey)  which  has  separated  from  the  casein.  This  should 
be  treated  like  the  above,  though  it  may  sometimes  demand  fomenta- 
tions with  warm  water  to  ward  oft'  inflammation,  ami  it  may  be  a  woek 
before  the  natural  condition  of  the  gland  i.s  restored. 

INFLAMMATION    OF   THE    UDDER — SIMPLE    MAMMITIS. 

Congestion  may  merge  into  active  inflammation,  or  it  may  arise 
direct,  in  connection  with  exposure  to  cold  or  wot,  with  standing  in  a 
cold  draft,  with  blows  on  the  udder  with  Hubs,  stones,  horns,  or  feet, 
with  injury  from  a  sharp  or  eold  stone,  or  the  projecting  edge  of  a  board 


254  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

01-  end  of  a  nail  in  the  floor,  with  sudden  and  extreme  changes  of 
weather,  with  overfeeding  on  rich  albuminous  food  like  cotton-seed, 
beans,  or  peas,  with  indigestions,  with  sores  on  the  teats,  or  with  insuf- 
ficient stripping  of  the  udder  in  milking.  In  the  period  of  full  milk  the 
organ  is  so  susceptible  that  any  serious  disturbance  of  the  general 
health  is  liable  to  fall  upon  the  udder. 

The  symptoms  and  mode  of  onset  vary  in  different  cases.  When  fol- 
lowing exposure  there  is  usually  a  violent  shivering  fit,  with  cold  horns, 
ears,  tail,  and  limbs,  and  general_ereetion  of  the  hair.  This  is  succeeded 
by  a  flush  of  heat  (reaction)  in  which  the  horns,  ears,  and  limbs  become 
unnaturally  warm,  and  the  gland  swells  up  and  becomes  firm  and  solid 
in  one,  two,  three,  or  all  four  quarters.  There  is  hot,  dry  muzzle,  ele- 
vated temperature,  full,  accelerated  pulse,  and  excited  breathing, 
impaired  or  suspended  appetite,  and  rumination  with  more  or  less  cos- 
tiveuess,  suppression  of  urine,  and  a  lessened  yield  of  inilk,  which  may 
be  entirely  suppressed  in  the  affected  quarter. 

In  other  cases  the  shivering  escapes  notice,  the  general  disorder  of 
the  system  is  little  marked  or  conies  on  late,  and  the  first  observed  sign 
of  illness  is  the  firm  swelling,  heat,  and  tenderness  of  the  bag.  As  the 
inflammation  increases  and  extends  the  hot,  tender  udder  causes  the 
animal  to  straddle  with  its  hind  limbs,  and  when  walking  to  halt  on  the 
limb  on  that  side.  If  the  cow  lies  down  it  is  on  the  unaffected  side. 
With  the  increase  in  intensity  and  the  extension  of  the  inflammation 
the  general  fever  manifests  itself  more  prominently.  In  some  instances 
the  connective  tissue  beneath  the  skin  and  between  the  lobules  of  the 
gland  is  affected,  and  then  the  swelling  is  uniformly  rounded  and  of 
nearly  the  same  consistency,  pitting  everywhere  on  pressure.  In  other 
cases  it  primarily  attacks  the  secreting  tissue  of  the  gland,  and  then 
the  swelling  is  more  localized,  and  appears  as  hard,  nodular  masses  in 
the  interior  of  the  gland.  This  last  is  the  usual  form  of  inflammation 
occurring  from  infection  entering  by  the  teats. 

In  all  cases,  but  especially  in  the  last-named  form,  thennilk  is  sup- 
pressed and  replaced  by  a  watery  fluid  colored  with  blood  (sometimes 
deeply),  and  mingled  with  masses  of  clotted  casein.  Later  it  becomes 
white  and  purulent,  and  in  many  cases  of  an  offensive  odor. 

The  course  of  the  disease  is  sometimes  so  rapid  and  at  others  so  slow 
that  no  definite  rule  can  be  laid  down.  In  two  or  three  days,  or  from 
that  to  the  end  of  the  week,  the  bag  may  soften,  lose  its  heat  and  ten- 
derness, and  subside  into  the  healthy  condition,  even  resuming  the 
secretion  of  milk.  The  longer  the  inflammatory  hardness  continues 
the  greater  the  probability  that  its  complete  restoration  will  not  be 
effected.  When  a  portion  of  the  gland  fails  to  be  restored  in  this  Avay, 
and  has  its  secretion  arrested,  it  usually  shrinks  to  a  smaller  size. 
More  commonly  a  greater  amount  of  the  inflammatory  product  remains 
in  the  gland  and  develops  into  a  solid  fibrous  mass,  causing  permanent 
hardening  (induration).  In  other  cases,  in  place  of  the  product  of 


DISEASES   FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  255 

inflammation  developing  into  a  fibrous  mass,  it  softens  and  breaks 
down  into  the  white  creamy  liquid  pus  (abscess).  This  abscess  may 
make  its  way  to  the  surface  and  escape  externally,  or  it  may  burst  into 
a  milk  duct  and  discharge  through  the  teat.  It  may  break  into  both 
and  establish  a  channel  for  the  escape  of  milk  (fistula).  In  the  worst 
types  of  the  disease  gangrene  may  ensue,  a  quarter  or  half,  or  even  the 
whole  udder,  losing  its  vitality  and  sloughing  off,  if  the  cow  can  bear 
up  against  the  depressing  influence.  These  gangrenous  cases  are  prob- 
ably always  the  result  of  infection  and  sometimes  run  a  very  rapidly 
fatal  course.  I  recall  one  to  which  I  was  called  as  soon  as  the  owner 
noticed  it,  yet  I  found  one  quarter  dark  blue,  cold,  and  showing  a  ten- 
dency to  the  formation  of  blebs  containing  a  bloody  secretion.  The 
cow.  which  had  waded  through  a  depth  of  semiliquid  manure  to  reach 
her  stall,  died  within  twenty-four  hours. 

Treatment  will  vary  with  the  type  and  the  stage  of  the  disease.  If 
is  seen  in  the  shivering  fit,  every  effort  should  be  made  to  cut 
that  short,  as  the  inflammation  may  be  thereby  greatly  moderated  if  not 
cheeked.  Copious  drinks  of  warm  water  thrown  in  from  horn  or  bottle; 
equally  copious  warm  injections;  the  application  of  heat  in  some  form 
to  the  surface  of  the  body  (by  a  rug  wrung  out  of  hot  water;  by  hanging 
over  the  back  and  loins  bags  loosely  filled  with  bran,  sand,  salt,  chaff, 
or  other  agent  previously  heated  iu  a  stove;  by  the  use  of  a  flatiron  or 
the  wanning  of  the  surface  by  a  hot-air  bath),  or  by  active  friction  with 
straw  wisp.s  by  two  or  more  persons;  the  administration  of  a  pint  of 
strong  alcoholic  liquor,  or  of  1  ounce  of  ground  ginger,  may  serve  to  cut 
short  i  lie  attack.  After  half  an  hour's  sweat,  rub  dry  and  cover  with  a 
dry  blanket. 

I  f.  on  the  other  hand,  there  is  little  or  no  fever,  and  only  a  slight 
inflammation,  rub  well  with  camphorated  ointment  or  a  weak  iodine 
ointment,  and  milk  three,  four,  or  six  times  a  day,  rubbing  the  bag 
thoroughly  each  time.  Milking  must  be  done  with  great  gentleness, 
squeezing  the  teat  in  place  of  pulling  and  stripping  it,  and  if  this  causes 
too  much  pain,  the  teat  tube  (Plate  xxiv.  Fig.  4),  or  the  spring  teat- 
dilator  (Plato,  xxiv,  Fig.  3)  may  be  employed. 

In  cases  in  which  the  fever  has  set  in  and  the  inflammation  is  more 
advanced,  a  dose  of  laxative  medicine  is  desirable  (Epsom  sails.  1  to  2 
pounds,  ginger,  1  ounce),  which  may  be  followed  after  the  purging  haa 
censed  by  daily  doses  of  saltpeter,  1  ounce.  Many  rely  on  cooling  and 
astringent  applications  to  the  inflamed  quarter  (vinegar,  sugar  of  lead 
lotion,  cold  water,  ice,  etc.),  but  a  safer  and  better  resort  is  continued 
fomentation  with  warm  water.  A  bucket  of  warm  water  replenished 
as  it  cools,  may  be  set  beneath  the  udder  and  two  IMTSOIIS  can  raise  a 
rug  out  of  this  and  hold  it  against  the  udder,  dipping  it  anew  whenever 
the  lie.it  i-  somewhat  lost.  Or  a  .sheet  may  be  passed  around  the  Imdy 
with  four  holes  cut  for  the  teats  and  soft  rags  packed  between  it  and 
the  udder  and  kept  warm  by  pouring  on  water  as  warm  as  the  hands 


256  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

can  bear,  every  ten  or  fifteen  minutes.  When  this .  has  been  kept  up 
for  an  hour  or  two  the  bag  may  be  dried,  well  rubbed  with  soap  and 
left  thus  with  a  soapy  coating.  If  the  pain  is  great,  extract  of  bella- 
donna may  be  applied  along  with  the  soap,  and  a  dry  suspensory  band- 
age with  holes  for  the  teats  may  be  applied.  Strong  mercurial  oint- 
ment is  very  useful  in  relieving  pain  and  softening  the  bag.  This  is 
especially  valuable  when  the  disease  is  protracted  and  induration 
threatens.  It  may  be  mixed  with  an  equal  amount  of  soap  and  half 
the  amount  of  extract  of  belladonna.  In  cases  of  threatened  induration 
excellent  results  are  sometimes  obtained  from  a  weak  induction  current 
of  electricity  sent  through  the  gland  daily  for  ten  minutes. 

If  abscess  threatens  it  may  be  favored  by  fomentation  and  opened  as 
soon  as  fluctuation  from  finger  to  finger  shows  the  formation  of  matter 
at  a  point  formerly  hard.  The  wound  may  bleed  freely,  and  there  is  a 
risk  of  opening  a  milk  duct,  yet  relief  will  be  secured,  and  a  dressing 
twice  daily  with  a  lotion  of  carbolic  acid,  1  part,  water,  20  parts,  and 
glycerin,  1  part,  will  suffice  to  keep  the  wound  clean  and  healthy. 

Gangrene  of  the  affected  part  is  often  fatal.  It  demands  antiseptics 
(chloride  of  zinc,  1  dram  to  1  quart  water)  applied  frequently  to  the 
part,  or  if  the  case  can  not  be  attended  smear  the  affected  quarter  with 
melted  Venice  turpentine,  or  even  wood  tar.  Antiseptic  tonics  (tinc- 
ture of  muriate  of  iron,  4  drams)  may  also  be  given  four  times  daily  in 
a  quart  of  water. 

CONTAGIOUS  MAMMITIS — CONTAGIOUS  INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  UDDER. 

As  stated  in  the  last  article,  that  form  of  inflammation  of  the  udder 
which  attacks  the  gland  ducts  and  follicles,  causing  deep-seated,  hard, 
nodular  swellings,  is  often  contagious.  Franck  has  demonstrated  this 
by  injecting  into  the  milk  ducts  in  different  cows  (milking  and  dry), 
the  pus  from  the  bags  of  cows  affected  with  mammitis,  or  the  liquids 
of  putrid  flesh,  or  putrid  blood,  and  in  every  case  he  produced  acute 
inflammation  of  the  gland  tissue  within  twenty -four  hours.  He  thinks 
that  in  ordinary  conditions  the  septic  germ  gains  access  by  propagating 
itself  through  the  milk,  filling  the  milk  canal  and  oozing  from  the  exter- 
nal orifice.  He  points  to  this  as  a  reason  why  dry  cows  escape  the 
malady,  though  mingling  freely  with  the  sufferers,  and  why  such  dry 
cows  do  not  suffer  from  inflammation  of  the  gland  tissue  when  attacked 
with  foot-and-mouth  disease.  In  this  last  case  it  is  evident  that  it  is 
not  simply  the  inoculation  with  the  milker's  hand  that  is  lacking,  for 
the  skin  of  the  bag  is  attacked,  but  not  its  secreting  glandular  parts. 
Now  that  in  any  case  of  abscess  we  look  for  the  cause  in  the  chain 
forms  of  globular  bacteria  (Streptococcus  pyogenes),  in  the  cluster  form 
of  white  globular  bacteria  (Staphylococcus  pyogenes  albus),  and  in  the 
golden  and  citron  yellow  forms  of  clustered  globular  bacteria  (Stapliy- 
lococcus  pyogenes  aureus  and  Staphylococcus  pyogenes  citreus),  the  for- 
mation of  pus  gives  presumptive  evidence  of  the  action  of  one  or  more 


DISEASES   FOLLOWING   PARTURITION.  257 

of  these  germs.  So  in  cases  of  mortification  of  the  bag;  in  the  very 
occurrence  there  is  fair  circumstantial  evidence  of  the  presence  of 
erysipelas  micrococcus  or  other  germ  which  kills  the  local  tissues. 
Again,  in  tuberculosis  affecting  the  bag  (a  not  uncommon  condition), 
the  active  local  cause  is  without  doubt  the  tubercle  bacillus. 

It  is  now  well  established  that  the  milk  ducts  and  gland  tissue,  as 
well  as  any  sore  on  the  exterior  of  the  teat  or  bag,  may  become  the  seat 
of  diphtheritic  inflammation  and  the  formation  of  the  skin-like  pellicles 
that  characterize  that  disease.  Here  again  there  is  a  definite  germ 
causing  the  disease.  The  liability  of  cattle  to  diphtheria  was  noticed 
by  Damman  in  connection  with  the  epizootic  outbreak  in  calves  and 
children  in  Pomerania  in  1875,  and,  among  others,  Roux  and  Yersin 
have  since  inoculated  the  disease  from  man  upon  animals.*  Dr.  Klein, 
of  London,  in  1889,  inoculated  two  cows,  respectively  three  and  four 
weeks  after  calving,  with  the  products  from  a  case  of  diphtheria  in 
man,  and  in  three  days  found  a  serous  exudating  sore  and  hard  swell- 
ing in  the  seat  of  inoculation  in  the  right  shoulder,  followed  by  vesicles 
(blisters)  on  the  teats  and  udder,  appearing  from  the  fourth  to  the 
eighth  day.  He  found  the  diphtheria  bacillus  in  these,  in  the  shoulder 
sore,  in  the  milk  (in  which  it  increased  enormously  if  left  to  stand  at 
68°  F.),  in  the  eruption  produced  in  calves  by  inoculation  with  the 
scrapings,  in  cats  that  died  with  diphtheria  after  lapping  the  milk,  and 
other  cats  that  died  of  diphtheria  after  living  with  the  former.i 

It  has  been  claimed  that  scarlet  fever  has  been  transmitted  from  the 
cow  to  man,  and  it  can  not  be  denied  that  in  many  cases  the  infection 
has  been  disseminated  through  the  milk.  The  facts,  however,  when 
brought  out  fully,  have  shown  that  in  almost  every  case  the  milk  had 
first  come  in  contact  with  a  person  suffering  or  recovering  from  scarlet 
lev»T,  so  that  the  milk  was  infected  after  it  left  the  cow.  The  alleged 
exceptional  cases  at  Hendon  and  Dover,  England,  are  not  conclusive. 
In  the  Hendon  outbreak  inoculations  were  made  on  calves  from  the 
slight  eruption  on  the  cow's  teats,  and  they  had  a  slight  eruption  on 
the  lips  and  a  form  of  inflammation  of  the  kidneys,  which  Dr.  Klein 
thought  resembled  that  of  scarlatina.  The  cows  that  had  brought  the 
disease  to  the  Hendon  dairies  were  traced  back  to  Wiltshire,  and  cows 
were  found  there  suffering  from  a  similar  malady,  but  there  was  no 
sign  of  scarlet  fever  resulting.  In  the  Dover  outbreak,  the  dairyman 
first  denied  any  disease  in  his  cows,  and  brought  the  certificate  of  a 
veterinarian  to  prove  that  they  were  sound  at  the  time  of  the  investi- 
gation; then  later  he  confessed  that  the  cows  had  had  foot-and-mouth 
disease,  and  consequent  eruption  on  the  teats  some  time  before.  So 

*  The  diphtheria  bacillus  of  calvcH,  according  to  Loftier,  i-  not  the  name  an  tin- 
human  diphtheria  Bacillus.  There  is  an  yet  no  positive  evidence  to  prove  that  hu- 
man diphtheria  may  be  communicated  to  animals,  excepting  perhaps  the  cat,  unless 
this  in  done  by  direct  inoculation.  [Ed.] 

t  Nineteenth  annual  report  of  the  local  government  board,  1N<9-'90. 
24G97 17 


258  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

the  question  remains  whether  the  man  who  denied  sickness  iu  the  cows 
to  begin  with,  and  adduced  professional  evidence  of  this,  did  not  later 
acknowledge  the  foot-and-mouth  disease  as  a  blind  to  hide  the  real 
source  of  the  trouble  in  scarlatina  in  his  own  family  or  the  family  of 
au  employe.  Dr.  Stickler's  corroborative  proof  from,  the  three  children 
inoculated  with  imported  virus  of  foot-and-mouth  disease  is  equally  in- 
conclusive, as  the  results  were  certainly  not  those  of  the  foot-and-mouth 
disease  as  it  appears  in  man,  and  the  fact  that  the  children  did  not  con- 
tract scarlatina  when  exposed  to  it  later  proves  only  that  they  were  at 
the  time  naturally  insusceptible,  or  that  Dr.  Stickler  had  in  some  way 
infected  his  virus  or  the  lancet  used  to  insert  it.  so  as  to  give  them 
scarlatina.  Certain  it  is  that  foot-and-mouth  disease  does  not  produce 
scarlet  fever  in  man,  and  that  scarlet  fever  so  constantly  prevalent  on 
the  American  continent  does  not  produce  foot-and-mouth  disease,  from 
which  this  continent  is  happily  free.  Foot-and-mouth  disease  does, 
however,  produce  in  man  an  eruption  of  blisters  on  the  mouth  and 
lingers  and  other  symptoms  which  Dr.  Stickler's  cases  failed  to  show. 
Whether  the  swollen  glands  of  the  neck  in  the  one  case  and  the  sore 
throat  in  the  other  resulted  from  scarlatinal  germs  introduced  from 
another  source,  or  whether  these  were  merely  the  result  of  septic  inoc- 
ulation with  the  impure  and  overkept  matter  imported  from  England, 
does  not  appear.  We  are  left,  therefore,  without  positive  proof  of  the 
existence  of  scarlatina  in  the  cow.  That  the  milk  may  be  contaminated, 
however,  after  leaving  the  cow  is  certain,  and  it  has  been  suggested 
that  on  the  open  sore  of  the  cow  a  scarlatina  germ  may  be  temporarily 
grafted,  which,  though  harmless  to  the  cow,  may  escape  into  the  pail 
during  milking  and  infect  the  person  using  the  milk.  Too  great  care 
can  not  be  exercised  in  keeping  the  infection  of  scarlet  fever  apart  from 
dairy  cows  or  their  milk  products. 

Among  other  contagious  forms  of  maminitis  I  may  name  one  which 
I  have  encountered  in  large  dairies,  starting  as  a  sore  and  slight  swell- 
ing at  the  opening  of  the  teat  and  extending  up  along  the  milk  duct 
to  the  gland  structure  in  the  bag,  all  of  which  become  indurated,  nodu- 
lar, and  painful.  The  milk  is  entirely  suppressed  in  that  quarter  of  the 
bag,  and  from  that  it  may  extend  to  the  others  as  it  does  from  cow  to 
cow  through  the  milker's  hands. 

Another  form  almost  universally  prevalent  iu  this  district  of  central 
New  York  in  1889  broke  out  over  the  teats  and  udder  as  blisters 
strongly  resembling  cow-pox,  but  which  were  not  propagated  when 
inoculated  on  calves.  It  was  only  exceptionally  that  this  extended 
through  the  teat  to  the  gland  tissue,  yet  in  some  instances  the  bag  was 
lost  from  this  cause.  Scarlatina  in  man  was  very  prevalent  at  the 
time  (many  schools  were  closed  in  consequence),  but  no  definite  con- 
nection seemed  to  exist  between  this  and  the  cow  disease,  and  on  dif- 
ferent dairy  farms  there  were  families  of  young  children  that  had  never 
had  scarlet  fever  and  who  did  not  at  that  time  contract  it. 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  259 

It  will  be  seen  that  contagious  mammitis  is  not  a  single  affection, but 
a  group  of  diseases  which  Lave  this  in  common,  that  they  attack  the 
udder. 

Prevention  is  to  be  especially  sought  in  all  such  cases.  In  purchas- 
ing new  cows  see  that  they  coine  from  a  herd  where  the  teats  and  udder 
are  sound.  If  a  new  cow  conies  from  a  public  market  with  unknown 
antecedents,  let  her  be  milked  for  a  week  by  a  person  who  does  not  milk 
any  other  cows.  Keep  her  in  a  separate-  stall  from  others,  so  that  there 
may  be  no  infection  from  litter  or  flooring.  Wash  the  udder  with  soap 
and  water,  and  wet  with  a  solution  of  two  teaspoousful  carbolic  acid  in 
a  pint  of  water  before  letting  the  regular  milker  of  the  other  cows  take 
her.  If  any  cow  in  the  herd  shows  the  indurated  end  of  the  teat,  or 
the  inliammatiun  and  nodular  tender  character  of  the  gland,  separate 
her  at  once  and  give  her  a  separate  milker.  If  another  cow  is  to  be 
put  into  the  stall  she  occupied,  first  clean  and  scrape  it,  and  wet  it 
with  a  strong  solution  of  Milestone,  5  ounces  in  a  gallon  of  water.  The 
milk  may  be  drawn  off  with  a  teat  tube,  or  spring  teat  dilator  (Plate 
xxiv,  figs.  3  and  4),  and  the  milk  ducts  injected  frequently  with  a  solution 
of  peroxide  of  hydrogen.  I  have  had  little  success  in  checking  the 
upward  progress  of  the  disease  through  the  teat  with  carbolic  acid,  or 
boracic  acid  solutions.  Used  on  the  outside  of  the  other  teats,  how- 
ever, these  may  serve  to  prevent  them  from  becoming  infected.  In  the 
absence  of  peroxide  of  hydrogen  the  affected  teat  maybe  injected  with 
a  solution  of  1  grain  corrosive  sublimate  in  a  pint  of  water,  and  the 
same  may  be  used  on  the  other  teats,  provided  it  is  washed  off  every 
time-  before  milking. 

As  additional  precautions,  no  cow  with  a  retained  afterbirth  or 
unhealthy  discharge  from  the  womb  should  be  left  with  the  other  cows. 
Such  cows  doubtless  infect  their  own  udders  and  those  of  the  cows  next 
them  by  lashing  with  the  soiled  tail.  If  milkers  handle  retained  after- 
birth or  vaginal  discharge,  or  unhealthy  wounds,  or  assist  in  a  difticult 
and  protracted  parturition,  they  should  wash  the  hands  and  arms  thor- 
oughly with  soap  and  warm  water  and  then  rub  them  with  the  corrosive 
sublimate  solution,  or  if  not,  at  least  with  one  of  carbolic  acid.  Clothes 
stained  with  such  offensive  products  should  be  washed. 

The  general  treatment  of  contagious  mammitis  does  not  differ  from 
that  of  the  simple  form,  except  that  antiseptics  should  be  given  by  the 
mouth  as  well  as  applied  locally  (hyposulphite  of  soda,  one-half  ounce 
daily). 

cowrox. 

This  is  another  form  of  contagious  inflammation  of  the  udder  which 
docs  not  spread  readily  from  animal  to  animal  except  by  the  hands  of 
the  milker.  It  is  held  to  occur  si>outaneously  in  the  cow,  but  this  is 
altogether  improbable,  and  so-called  spontaneous  cases  are  rather  to  be 
looked  on  as  instances  in  which  the  germs  have  been  preserved  dry  in 
the  buildings  or  introduced  in  some  unknown  manner.  It  is  not 


260  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

uncommon  in  the  horse,  attacking  the  heels,  the  lips,  or  some  other 
inoculated  part  of  the  body,  and  is  then  easily  transferred  to  the  cow, 
if  the  same  man  grooms  and  dresses  the  horse  and  milks  the  cow.  It 
may  also  appear  in  the  cow  by  infection,  more  or  less  direct,  from  a  per- 
son who  has  been  successfully  vaccinated.  Many  believe  that  it  is  only 
a  form  of  the  smallpox  of  man  modified  by  passing  through  the  system 
of  cow  or  horse.  It  is,  however,  unreasonable  to  suppose  that  this 
alleged  modified  smallpox  could  have  been  transmitted  from  child  to 
child  (the  most  susceptible  of  the  human  race)  for  ninety  years,  under 
all  possible  conditions,  without  once  reverting  to  its  original  type  of 
smallpox.  Chauveau's  experiments  on  both  cattle  and  horses  with  the 
virus  of  smallpox,  and  its  inoculation  back  on  the  human  subject,  go 
far  to  show  that  in  the  climate  of  western  Europe,  at  least,  no  such 
transformation  takes  place.  Smallpox  remains  smallpox  and  cowpox 
cowpox.  Again,  smallpox  is  communicable  to  a  person  who  visits  the 
patient  in  his  room  but  avoids  touching  him,  while  cowpox  is  never 
thus  transferred  through  the  air  unless  deliberately  diifused  in  the  form 
of  spray. 

The  disease  in  the  cow  is  ushered  in  by  a  slight  fever,  which,  how- 
ever, is  usually  overlooked,  and  the  first  sign  is  tenderness  of  the  teats. 
Examined,  these  may  be  redder  and  hotter  than  normal,  and  at  the  end 
of  two  days  there  appear  little  nodules,  like  small  peas,  of  a  pale  red 
color,  and  increasing  so  that  they  may  measure  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
to  1  inch  in  diameter  by  the  seventh  day.  The  yield  of  milk  diminishes, 
and  when  heated  it  coagulates  slightly.  From  the  seventh  to  the  tenth 
day  the  eruption  forms  into  a  blister  with  a  depression  in  the  center 
and  raised  margins,  and  from  which  the  whole  of  the  liquid  can  not  be 
drawn  out  by  a  single  puncture.  The  blister,  in  other  words,  is  cham- 
bered, and  each  chamber  must  be  opened  to  evacuate  the  whole  of  the 
contents.  If  the  pock  forms  on  a  surface  where  there  is  thick  hair  it 
does  not  rise  as  a  blister,  but  oozes  out  a  straw-colored  fluid  which  con- 
cretes on  the  hairs  in  an  amber-colored  mass.  In  one  or  two  days  after 
the  pock  is  full  it  becomes  yellow  from  contained  pus,  and  then  dries 
into  a  brownish  yellow  scab,  which  finally  falls,  leaving  one  or  more 
distinct  pits  in  the  skin.  Upon  the  teats,  however,  this  regular  coiirse 
is  rarely  seen;  the  vesicles  are  burst  by  the  hands  of  the  milker  as  soon 
as  liquid  is  formed,  and  as  they  continue  to  suffer  at  each  milking  they 
form  raw,  angry  sores,  scabbing  more  or  less  with  intervals,  but  slow 
to  undergo  healing. 

The  only  treatment  required  is  to  heal  the  sores,  and  as  milking  is 
the  main  cause  of  their  persistence  that  must  be  done  as  gently  as 
possible,  or  even  with  the  teat  tube  or  dilator  (Plate  xxiv,  Figs.  3  and  4). 
It  is  essential  to  check  the  propagation  of  the  germ,  and  for  this  pur- 
pose the  sore  teats  may  be  washed  frequently  with  a  solution  of  half 
an  ounce  hyposulphite  of  soda  in  a  pint  of  water.  This  will  usually 
check  the  inflammation  and  cut  short  the  malady. 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING   PARTURITION.  261 

SUPPRESSION   OF   MILK. 

The  absence  of  milk  in  the  udder  may  result  from  ill  health,  debility, 
emaciation,  chronic  disease  of  the  bag,  wasting  of  the  gland  from  pre- 
vious disease,  or  insufficient  food,  but  sometimes  it  will  occur  suddenly 
without  any  appreciable  cause.  The  treatment  will  consist  in  remov- 
ing the  cause  of  the  disease,  to  feed  well  on  rich  albuminoid  food  made 
into  warm  mashes,  and  to  give  ounce  doses  of  aromatic  carminatives, 
like  anise-seed,  fennel-seed,  etc.  Rubbing  and  stripping  the  udder  are 
useful ;  and  the  application  of  oil  of  lavender  or  of  turpentine,  or  even 
a  blister  of  Spanish  flies,  will  sometimes  succeed. 

BLOODY   MILK. 

Blood  may  escape  with  the  milk  when  the  udder  has  been  injured  by 
blows,  also  when  it  is  congested  or  inflamed,  when  the  circulation 
through  it  has  been  suddenly  increased  by  richer  and  more  abundant 
food,  or  when  the  cow  is  under  the  excitement  of  heat.  The  milk  froth- 
ing up  and  assuming  a  pink  tinge  is  often  the  first  sign  of  red- water,  and 
it  may  result  from  eating  acrid  or  irritant  plants,  like  the  rauunculacea?, 
resinous  plants,  etc.  Deposits  of  tubercle  or  tumors  in  the  udder,  or 
induration  of  the  gland,  may  be  efficient  causes,  the  irritation  caused  by 
milking  contributing  to  draw  the  blood.  Finally  there  may  be  a  reddish 
tinge  or  sediment  when  madder  or  logwood  has  been  eaten. 

In  milk  which  becomes  red  after  it  is  drawn  it  may  be  due  to  the 
1 11  ••seiu-e  in  it  of  the  micrococcus  prodigiosus.  This  also  grows  on  bread, 
and  is  the  explanation  of  the  supposed  miracle  of  the  "bleeding  host." 

The  treatment  will  vary  with  the  cause.  In  congested  glands  give  1 
pound  of  epsom  salts,  and  daily  thereafter  4  ounce  saltpeter,  with  a 
dram  of  chlorate  of  potash;  bathe  the  bag  with  hot  or  cold  water,  and 
rub  with  camphorated  lard.  If  the  food  is  too  rich  or  abundant  it  must 
be  reduced.  If  from  acrid  plants  these  must  be  removed  from  pasture 
or  fodder.  Induration  of  the  udder  may  be  met  by  rubbing  with  a  com- 
bination of  iodine  ointment  1  part,  soft  soap  2  parts;  or  mercurial  oint- 
ment and  soap  may  be  used.  Careful  milking  is  imperative. 

BLUE   MILK. 

Watery  milk  in  blue,  but  the  presence  of  a  germ  (Jlacillux  ci/tntogcnm) 
causes  a  distinct  blue  shade  even  in  rich  milk  and  cream.  It  may  reach 
the  milk  after  it  has  been  drawn,  or  it  may  find  its  way  into  the  open- 
ing of  the  milk  ducts  and  enter  the  milk  as  it  is  drawn.  In  the  latter 
case,  frequent  milking  and  the  injection  into  the  teats  of  a  solution  of  2 
drams  of  hyposulphite  of  soda  in  a  pint  of  water  will  servo  to  destroy 
them. 

STRINGY   MILK. 

This  may  be  caused  by  fungi  developing  in  the  liquid,  and  that  the 
spores  are  present  in  the  system  of  the  cow  may  IMJ  safely  inferred  from 


262  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  fact  that  in  a  large  herd  two  or  three  cows  only  will  yield  such  milk 
at  a  time,  and  that  after  a  run  of  ten  days  or  a  fortnight  they  will  recover 
and  others  will  be  attacked.  I  have  found  that  such  affected  cows  had 
the  temperature  raised  one  or  two  degrees  above  the  others.  Like  most 
other  fungi,  this  does  not  grow  out  into  filaments  within  the  body  of 
the  cow,  but  in  five  or  six  hours  after  milking  the  surface  layers  are 
found  to  be  one  dense  network  of  filaments.  If  a  needle  is  dipped  in 
this  and  lifted,  the  liquid  is  drawn  out  into  a  long  thread.  In  one  ease 
which  I  investigated  near  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  the  contamination  was  mani- 
festly due  to  a  spring  which  oozed  out  of  a  bank  of  black  muck  soil  and 
stood  in  pools  mixed  with  the  dejections  of  the  animals.  Inoculation 
of  pure  milk  with  the  water  as  it  flowed  out  of  this  bank  developed  in 
it  the  fungus  and  the  string  characters.  By  fencing  in  this  spring  and 
giving  the  affected  cows  each  2  drams  bisulphite  of  soda  daily  the  trouble 
was  arrested  promptly  and  permanently. 

CHAPPED   TEATS. 

These  may  be  caused  by  anything  which  irritates  them.  The  power- 
ful sucking  of  the  calf,  the  sudden  chilling  of  the  teat  in  winter  after 
the  calf  has  just  let  it  go,  or  after  the  completion  of  milking  with  a  wet 
hand ;  contact  with  cold  water,  or  stagnant  putrid  water,  or  with  filth 
or  irritants  when  lying  down;  slight  congestions  of  the  skin  in  connec- 
tion with  overstocking,  and,  indeed,  any  source  of  local  irritation  may 
cause  chapping.  This  may  be  slight  or  extend  into  great  gaping  sores 
and  induce  retention  of  milk  or  even  rnammitis.  Soothing  applications 
of  vaseline,  or  a  combination  of  equal  parts  of  spermaceti  and  oil  of 
sweet  almonds,  may  be  applied.  If  healing  is  tardy  add  10  grains  bal- 
sam of  Peru  to  the  ounce  of  ointment.  If  the  irritation  is  very  great, 
wash  first  with  a  solution  of  1  drani  sugar  of  lead  in  1  pint  of  water, 
and  then  apply  benzoated  oxide  of  zinc  ointment. 

WARTS   ON   THE   TEATS. 

These  are  often  very  troublesome,  yet  they  may  be  greatly  benefited 
or  entirely  removed  by  smearing  them  thickly  after  each  milking  with 
pure  olive  oil.  If  they  persist  they  may  be  cut  off  with  a  sharp  pair  of 
scissors  and  the  sore  touched  with  a  stick  of  lunar  caustic.  They  may 
now  be  oiled  and  the  caustic  repeated  as  demanded  to  prevent  their 
renewed  growth. 

Scabby  teats  may  be  smeared  with  vaseline  containing  enough  carbolic 
acid  to  give  it  an  odor. 

TEAT  BLOCKED  BY  CONCRETION  OF  CASEIN. 

Under  unhealthy  conditions  of  the  gland  or  milk  ducts,  clots  of  casein 
form,  and  these,  pressed  clear  of  most  of  their  liquid  and  rolled  into 
rounded  masses,  may  block  the  passage.  They  can  be  moved  up  and 
down  by  manipulation  of  the  teat,  and  if  they  can  not  be  pressed  out  they 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING   PARTURITION.  263 

may  be  extracted  by  using  the  spring  teat  dilator  (Plate  xxiv,  Fig.  3) 
being  held  surrounded  by  its  three  limbs.  Before  extraction  is  attempted 
an  ounce  of  almond  oil  previously  boiled  should  be  injected  into  the  teat. 

TEAT  BLOCKED  BY  CALCULUS. 

When  the  calcareous  matter  of  the  milk  has  been  precipitated  in  the 
form  of  a  smooth,  rounded  stone,  a  rough  conglomerated  concretion, 
or  a  fine  sand-like  debris,  it  may  cause  obstruction  and  irritation. 
These  bodies  are  felt  to  be  much  harder  than  those  formed  by  casein, 
and  the  milk  usually  contains  gritty  particles.  Extraction  may  be 
attempted  by  simple  milking  in  the  case  of  the  finely  divided  gritty 
matter,  or  with  the  spring  dilator  (Plate  xxiv,  Fig.  3)  in  the  case  of  the 
larger  masses.  Should  this  fail  the  teat  may  be  laid  open  with  the  knife 
and  sewed  up  again  or  closed  with  collodion,  but  such  an  operation  is 
best  deferred  until  the  cow  is  dry. 

TEAT   BLOCKED   BY   A   WARTY    OR    OTHER    GROWTH   INSIDE. 

In  this  case  the  obstruction  may  be  near  the  orifice  of  the  teat  or 
higher  up,  and  the  solid  mass  is  not  movable  up  and  down  with  the 
same  freedom  as  are  concretions  and  calculi.  The  movement  is  limited 
by  the  elasticity  of  the  inner  membrane  of  the  teat  from  which  it 
grows,  and  is  somewhat  freer  in  certain  cases  because  the  growth  has 
become  loose  and  hangs  by  a  narrow  neck.  In  the  ease  of  the  looser 
growths  they  may  be  snared  by  a  fine  spring  passed  as  a  loop  through 
a  fine  tube  (like  a  teat  tube  open  at  each  end),  and  introduced  into  the 
ti.it.  When  this  can  not  be  done,  the  only  resort  is  to  cut  in  and  excise 
it  while  the  cow  is  dry. 

THICKENING    OP     THE    MUCOUS    MEMBRANE    AND    CLOSURE    OF    THE 

MILK-DUCT. 

As  a  result  of  inflammation  extending  from  without  in  ward,  a  gradual 
narrowing  of  the  milk-duct  may  occur  from  thickening  and  narrowing 
of  its  lining  membrane.  This  may  be  limited  to  a  small  area  near  the 
lower  end,  or  it  may  extend  through  the  whole  length  of  the  teat. 
The  stream  of  milk  becomes  liner  and  liner  until  it  finally  ceases  alto- 
gether, and  a  firm  cord  is  felt  running  through  the  teat.  If  the  con- 
striction  is  only  at  the  outlet  the  teat  may  be  seized  and  distended  Im- 
pressing the  milk  down  into  it  from  above,  and  an  incision  may  be  made 
with  a  .-harp  penknife  in  two  directions  at  right  angles  to  each  other, 
and  directly  in  the  original  opening.  The  knife  should  be  first  cleansed 
in  boiling  water.  The  opening  may  be  kept  from  closing  by  a  dumb- 
bell shaped  Ixmgie  of  gutta-percha  (Plate  xxiv,  Fig.  "M  or  by  the  spring 
dilator.  If  the  obstruction  is  more  extended  it  may  be  perforated  by 
Lathi's  jwrforating  sound.  (Plate  xxiv,  Fig.  la  and  I/O  This  is  a  steel 
wire  with  a  ring  at  one  end,  and  at  the  other  is  screwed  on  to  the  wire 
a  conical  cap  with  sharp  cutting  edges  at  the  base,  which  scrapes  away 


264  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  thickened  masses  of  cells  as  it  is  drawn  back.  This  may  bo  passed 
again  and  again  to  sufficiently  enlarge  the  passage,  and  then  the  passage 
may  be  kept  open  by  wearing  a  long  dumb-bell  bougie,  a  thick  piece  of 
carbolized  catgut,  or  a  spring  dilator.  If  the  passage  can  not  be  suffi- 
ciently opened  with  the  sound  it  may  be  incised  by  the  hidden  bistoury. 
(Plate  xxiv,  Fig.  2.)  This  is  a  knife  lying  alongside  a  flattened  protector 
with  smooth  rounded  edges,  but  which  can  be  projected  to  any  required 
distance  by  a  lever  on  the  handle.  The  incisions  are  made  in  four 
directions  and  as  deep  as  may  be  necessary,  and  the  walls  can  then  be 
held  apart  by  the  spring  dilator  until  they  heal.  In  case  the  constric- 
tion and  thickening  of  the  canal  extend  the  whole  length  of  the  teat, 
it  is  practically  beyond  remedy,  as  the  gland  is  usually  involved  so  as 
to  render  it  useless. 

CLOSURE    OF    THE   MILK-DUCT   BY   A   MEMBRANE. 

In  this  form  the  duct  of  the  teat  is  closed  by  the  constriction  of  its 
lining  membrane  at  one  point,  usually  without  thickening.  The  clos- 
ure usually  takes  place  while  the  cow  is  dry,  otherwise  its  progress  is 
gradual  and  for  a  time  the  milk  may  still  be  pressed  through  slowly. 
In  such  a  case,  if  left  at  rest,  the  lower  part  of  the  teat  fills  up  and  the 
milk  flows  in  a  full  stream  at  the  first  pressure,  but  after  this  it  will 
not  fill  up  again  without  sufficient  time  for  it  to  filter  through.  This  is 
to  be  cut  open  by  the  hidden  bistoury  (Plate  xxiv,  Fig.  2),  which  may  be 
first  passed  through  the  opening  of  the  membrane,  if  such  exists.  If 
not  it  may  be  bored  through,  or  it  may  be  pressed  up  against  the  mem- 
brane at  one  side  of  the  teat  and  opened  toward  the  center,  so  as  to 
cut  its  way  through.  Incisions  should  be  made  in  at  least  two  oppo- 
site directions,  and  the  edges  may  be  then  held  apart  by  wearing  the 
spring  dilator  until  healing  has  been  completed. 

In  all  cases  of  operations  on  the  teats  the  instruments  must  be  thor- 
oughly disinfected  with  hot  water,  or  by  dipping  in  carbolic  acid,  and 
then  in  water  that  has  been  boiled. 

OPENING   IN   THE    SIDE    OF    THE    TEAT — MILK   FISTULA. 

« 

This  may  occur  from  wounds  penetrating  the  milk  duct  and  failing 
to  close,  or  it  may  be  congenital,  and  then  very  often  it  leads  to  a  dis- 
tinct milk  duct  and  an  independent  portion  of  the  gland.  In  the  first 
form  it  is  only  necessary  to  dissect  away  the  skin  leading  into  the  open- 
ing for  some  distance  down,  to  close  the  orifice  with  stitches,  and  to 
cover  the  whole  with  collodion.  A  teat  tube  or  spring  dilator  may  be 
worn  to  drain  off"  the  milk  and  prevent  distension  and  reopening  of  the 
orifice.  In  case  of  an  independent  milk-duct  and  gland  one  of  two 
courses  may  be  selected :  to  open  the  one  duct  into  the  other  by  inci- 
sion and  then  close  the  offending  opening,  or  to  inject  the  superfluous 
gland  through  its  duct  with  a  caustic  solution  so  as  to  destroy  its  secre- 
ting power.  In  both  cases  it  fs  desirable  to  wait  until  the  cow  goes  dry. 


DISEASES  FOLLOWING  PARTURITION. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATES. 
PLATES  XXII,  XXIII : 

Illustrate  various  appliances  used  in  prolapse  or  inversion  of  the  uterus.     The 
uterus  should  first  be  returned  to  its  proper  situation  and  then  some  appa- 
ratus applied  to  prevent  a  recurrence  of  the  inversion  or  protrusion. 
PLATE  XXII: 

Fig.  1.  Crupper,  strap  truss — taken  from  Hill's  Bovine  Medicine  and  Surgery. 

Fig.  2.  Renault's  rope  truss.     The  rope  for  this  truss  should  be  from  25  to  30  feet 

long,  and  about  the  thickness  of  the  little  finger. 
PLATE  XXIII: 

Fig.  1.  Cow  to  which  Delwart's  rope  truss  has  been  applied. 

Fig.  la.  Shows  the  loop  of  Delwart's  truss. 

Fig.  2.  Zuudel's  labial  sutures.  These  consist  of  two  wires  passed  through  the 
lips  of  the  vulva  in  a  horizontal  direction,  and  two  additional  wires  passed 
through  the  loops  at  the  ends  of  the  horizontal  wires  in  order  to  hold  them 
in  place. 

Fig.  3.  Iron  truss  for  holding  the  vagina  or  uterus  in  place  after  calving.     The 
cords  are  passed  through  the  eyes  at  the  corners  of  the  triangular  iron ;  the 
base  of  the  triangle  fits  under  the  tail.     The  truss  is  from  5  to  7  inches  long, 
and  about  2^  inches  wide. 
PLATK  XXIV: 

Fig.  1.  Liithi's  perforating  sound,  for  opening  the  milk  canal  through  the  teat 
when  this  has  become  occluded.  A,  the  sound  one-half  the  natural  size;  B, 
section  of  head  of  sound,  natural  size,  showing  cutting  edge. 

Fig.  2.  Histouri  cache".  A  blade  hidden  in  its  sheath  which  by  pressure  of  the 
finger  may  be  made  to  protrude  a  certain  distance.  This  distance  is  regu- 
lated by  the  screw  near  the  handle.  The  instrument  is  used  to  open  the 
milk  canal  when  closed  up.  It  is  introduced  into  the  milk  canal  with  its 
blade  in  the  sheatu  and  withdrawn  with  the  blade  protruding. 

Fig.  3.  Spring  teat  dilator,  about  J  natural  si/c,  for  dilating  the  milk  canal. 

Fig.  4.  Ring  teat  syphon,  for  withdrawing  milk  when  the  teat  is  sore  or  injured. 

Fig.  ft.  Gutta-percha  bougie,  for  dilating  the  opening  of  the  teat. 

Fig.  6.  Truss  applied  to  calf  for  umbilical  or  navel  hernia.  From  Fleming's 
Veterinary  Obstetrics. 

Fig.  7.  Armatage's  iron  clam  for  umbilical  or  navel  hernia.  When  thin  clam  is 
applied  care  must  bo  taken  not  to  include  a  portion  of  tlio  bowel. 

LH55 


PLATK  XXT1 


sri'i'oins  KOH  IMU>I.AI>SI-:I>  ITKHIS 


IM.ATK    \\1ll 


SIIM'UMIS    I  OH  I'KOI.AI'SKN    I    IKUI    s 


PI.ATK    XXIV 


4. 


5. 


2. 


DISEASES  OF  YOUNG  CALVES. 


By  JAMES    LAW,  F.  R.  C.  V.  S., 
Professor  of  Veterinary  Science,  etc.,  in  Cornell   University. 


SUSPENDED   BREATHING. 

The  moment  the  circulation  through  the  navel  string  is  stopped  the 
blood  of  the  calf  begins  to  get  overcharged  with  carbon  dioxide  (CO2), 
and  unless  breathing  is  speedily  established  death  promptly  follows. 
Fortunately  the  desire  to  breathe,  roused  by  the  circulation  of  the  venous 
blood  and  the  reflex  action  from  the  wet  and  chilling  skin,  usually  at 
once  starts  the  contractions  of  the  diaphragm  and  life  is  insured.  Among 
the  obstacles  to  breathing  may  be  named  suffocation  before  or  during 
birth  from  compression  of  the  navel  cord  and  the  arrest  of  its  circula- 
tion ;  the  detachment  of  the  fetal  membranes  from  the  womb  before 
the  calf  is  born ;  a  too  free  communication  between  the  two  auricles  of 
the  heart  (foramen  ovale)  by  which  the  uon aerated  blood  has  mixed  too 
abundantly  with  the  aerated  and  induced  debility  and  profound  weak- 
ness; a  condition  of  ill  health  and  debility  of  the  calf  as  a  result  of 
semi-starvation,  overwork,  or  disease  of  the  cow;  fainting  in  such  de- 
bilitated calf  when  calving  has  been  difficult  and  prolonged;  the  birth 
of  the  calf  with  its  head  enveloped  in  the  fetal  membranes  so  that  it 
has  been  unable  to  breathe;  and  the  presence  of  tenacious  phlegm  in 
the  mouth  and  nose,  acting  in  the  same  manner. 

Beside  the  imi>ortance  of  proper  care  and  feeding  of  the  cow  as  a 
preventive  measure,  attention  should  be  given  at  once  to  relieve  the 
new-born  calf  of  its  investing  membrane  and  of  any  mucus  that  has 
collected  in  mouth  or  nostrils.  Wiping  out  the  nose  deeply  with  a 
finger  or  feather  excites  to  sneexing,  hence  to  breathing.  Hlowing  into 
the  nose  has  a  similar  effect.  Sucking  the  nostril  through  a  tube  applied 
to  it  is  even  more  effective.  Slapping  the  chest  with  the  palm  of  the 
hand  or  with  a  towel  dipped  in  cold  water,  compression  and  relaxation 
alternately  of  the  walls  of  tho  chest,  may  start  the  action,  and  ammonia- 
or  even  tobacco  smoke  blown  into  the  nose  may  suffice.  Kvery  second 
is  precious,  however,  and  if  possible  the  lungs  should  be  dilated  l>y 
forcibly  introducing  air  from  a  bellows  or  from  the  human  lungs.  As 
the  air  is  blown  in  through  bellows  or  a  tube  the  upper  end  of  the  wind- 
pipe must  be  pressed  back  against  the  gullet,  as  otherwise  the  air  will 

267 


268  DISEASES  or  CATTLE. 

go  to  the  stomach.  In  a  large  dairy  a  piece  of  elastic  tubing  one-third 
of  an  inch  in  bore  should  be  kept  at  hand  for  sucking  and  blowing  in  such 
cases. 

BLEEDING  FROM  THE  NAVEL. 

This  may  occur  in  two  conditions,  when  the  cord  is  cut  off  too  close 
to  the  navel  and  left  untied,  and  when  it  tears  off  at  the  navel  (Plate 
xiv).  It  may  also  bleed  when  torn  across  naturally,  if  it  is  sucked  by 
the  dam  or  another  calf.  In  an  animal  with  little  plasticity  to  its  blood 
it  will  flow  under  almost  any  circumstances.  Where  any  cord  is  left  it 
is  always  safe  to  tie  it,  and  it  is  only  when  it  is  swollen  and  may  possi- 
bly contain  a  loop  of  the  bowel  that  there  is  danger  in  doing  so.  By 
pressing  upward  any  bulky  contents  such  danger  is  avoided.  If  torn, 
or  cut  too  close  to  be  tied,  the  bleeding  may  be  checked  by  applying 
alum,  copperas,  or  for  a  fraction  of  a  second  the  end  of  an  iron  rod  at  a 
dull-red  heat.  If  much  blood  has  been  lost  it  may  be  requisite  to  trans- 
fuse several  ounces  of  blood,  or  of  a  weak  common-salt  solution,  into  the 
open  umbilical  vein. 

URINE  DISCHARGED   THROUGH   THE    NAVEL — PERSISTENT  URACHUS. 

Before  birth  the  urine  passes  from  the  bladder  by  a  special  tube 
through  the  navel  and  navel-string  into  the  outer  water-bag  (allantois) 
(Plate  xn).  This  closes  at  birth,  and  in  the  calf  the  tube  is  drawn  in 
toward  the  bladder.  It  is  only  in  the  bull  calf  that  it  is  likely  to 
remain  open,  doubtless  because  of  the  long  narrow  channel  through 
which  the  urine  must  otherwise  escape.  The  urethra,  too,  is  sometimes 
abnormally  narrow,  or  even  closed  in  the  male.  If  part  of  the  cord 
remains,  tie  it  and  allow  the  whole  to  wither  up  naturally.  If  the  cord 
has  been  removed  and  the  tube  (urachus)  protrudes,  discharging  the 
urine,  that  alone  must  be  tied.  If  there  is  nothing  pendent  the  urachus 
must  be  seized,  covered  by  the  skin,  and  a  curved  needle  being  passed 
through  the  skin  and  above  the  duct  it  may  be  tied  along  with  this 
skin.  A  blister  of  Spanish  flies,  causing  swelling  of  the  skin,  will  often 
close  the  orifice.  So  with  the  hot  iron.  If  the  urethra  of  the  male  is 
impervious  it  can  rarely  be  remedied. 

INFLAMMATION   OF   THE   URACHUS    (NAVEL   URINE-DUCT). 

This  may  originate  in  direct  mechanical  injury  to  the  navel  in  calv- 
ing, or  shortly  after,  with  or  without  the  lodgment  of  irritant  and  sep- 
tic matter  on  its  lacerated  or  cut  end.  The  mere  contact  with  healthy 
urine,  hitherto  harmless,  can  not  be  looked  on  as  becoming  suddenly 
irritating.  The  affection  is  usually  marked  by  the  presence  of  redness 
and  swelling  at  the  posterior  part  of  the  navel  and  the  escape  of  urine 
and  a  few  drops  of  whitish  serous  pus  from  the  orifice  of  the  urachus. 


DISEASES   OF   YOUNG   CALVES.  269 

In  those  cases  in  which  urine  is  not  discharged  a  tender  swelling,  like 
a  thick  cord  extending  upward  and  backward  from  the  navel  into  the 
abdomen,  may  be  identified.  The  navel  enlargement  may  be  consider- 
able, but  it  is  solid,  does  not  gurgle  on  handling,  and  can  not  be  done 
away  with  by  pressing  it  back  into  the  abdomen  as  in  a  case  of  hernia. 

In  cases  at  first  closed  the  pus  may  burst  out  later,  coming  from  the 
back  part  of  the  navel  and  the  swelling  extending  backward.  In  other 
cases  whitish  pus  may  pass  with  the  urine  by  the  ordinary  channel, 
showing  that  it  has  opened  back  into  the  bladder.  In  other  cases  the 
umbilical  veins  become  involved,  in  which  case  the  swelling  extends 
forward  as  well  as  backward.  Thus  the  disease  may  result  in  destruc- 
tive disorders  of  the  liver,  lungs,  and,  above  all,  of  the  joints. 

The  disease  may  usually  be  warded  off  or  rendered  simple  and  com- 
paratively harmless  by  applying  antiseptics  to  the  navel-string  at 
birth  (carbolic  acid  1  part,  water  and  glycerine  5  parts  each,  or  wood 
tar).  Later,  antiseptics  may  be  freely  used  (hyposulphite  of  soda  4 
drams,  water  1  quart)  as  an  application  to  the  surfa.ce  and  as  an  injec- 
tion into  the  urachus,  or  even  into  the  bladder  if  the  two  still  commu- 
nicate. If  they  no  longer  communicate,  a  stronger  injection  may  be 
used  (tincture  of  perchloride  of 'iron  60  drops,  alcohol  1  ounce).  Sev- 
eral weeks  will  be  required  for  complete  recovery. 

ABSCESS   OF   THE  NAVEL. 

As  the  result  of  irritation  at  calving  or  by  the  withered  cord,  or  by 
licking  with  the  rough  tongue  of  the  cow,  inflammation  may  attack  the 
loose  connective  tissue  of  the  navel  to  the  exclusion  of  the  urachus 
and  veins,  and  go  on  to  the  formation  of  matter.  In  this  case  a  firm 
swelling  appears  as  large  as  the  fist,  which  softens  in  the  center  and 
may  finally  burst  and  discharge.  The  opening,  however,  is  usually 
small  and  may  close  prematurely,  so  that  abscess  after  abscess  is 
formed.  It  is  distinguished  from  hernia  by  the  fact  that  it  can  not  be 
returned  into  the  abdomen,  and  from  inflammations  of  the  veins  and 
urachus  by  the  absence  of  swellings  forward  and  backward  along  the 
lines  of  these  canals. 

Treatment  consists  in  an  early  opening  of  the  abscess  by  a  free  incision 
and  the  injection  twice  a  day  of  an  astringent  antiseptic  (chloride  of 
zinc  £  dram,  water  1  pint). 

INFLAMMATION   OF  THE   NAVEL  VEINS — UMBILICAL   PHLEBITIS. 

In  this  affection  of  the  navel  the  inflammation  may  start  directly 
from  mechanical  injury,  as  in  either  of  the  two  forms  just  described, 
but  on  this  are  inoculated  infective  microbes,  derived  from  a  retained 
and  putrefying  afterbirth,  an  abortion,  a  metritis,  a  fetid  discharge 
from  the  womb,  an  unhealthy  open  sore,  a  rase  of  erysipelas,  from  over- 


270  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

crowding,  from  filthy  floor  or  bedding,  or  from  an  offensive  accumula- 
tion of  manure,  solid  or  liquid.  As  the  microbes  vary  in  different  cases, 
given  outbreaks  will  differ  materially  in  their  nature.  One  is  erysipe- 
las ;  another  purulent  infection  with  the  tendency  to  secondary  abscesses 
in  the  joints,  liver,  lungs,  etc.  j  another  is  due  to  a  septic  germ  and  is 
associated  with  fetid  discharge  from  the  navel  and  general  putrid 
blood  poisoning.  In  estimating  the  causes  of  the  disease  we  must  not 
omit  debility  of  the  calf  when  the  mother  has  been  underfed  or  badly 
honsed,  or  when  either  she  or  the  fetus  has  been  diseased. 

The  symptoms  will  vary.  With  the  chain-form  germs  (streptococci) 
of  erysipelas  the  navel  becomes  intensely  red,  with  a  very  firm,  painful 
swelling  ending  abruptly  at  the  edges  in  sound  skin,  and  extending 
forward  along  the  umbilical  veins.  The  secondary  diseases  are  circum- 
scribed black  engorgements  (infarctions)  or  abscesses  of  the  liver,  lungs, 
kidneys,  or  other  internal  organs,  and  sometimes  disease  of  the  joints. 

With  the  ordinary  pus-producing  germs  (Staphylococcuv  pyoycnes 
aureus  and  Streptococcus  pyogencs),  the  local  inflammation  in  the  navel 
causes  a  hot,  painful  swelling,  which  rapidly  advances  to  the  formation 
of  matter  (pus),  and  the  raw  exposed  surface,  at  first  bright  red, 
becomes  dark  red  or  black,  soft,  friable,  and  pultaceous.  If  the  pus  is 
white,  creamy,  and  comparatively  inoffensive  in  odor,  the  secondary 
formations  in  internal  organs  and  joints  are  mainly  of  the  same  purulent 
character  (secondary  abscesses). 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  discharge  is  very  offensive  and  the  pus 
more  serous  or  watery  or  bloody,  there  is  reason  to  suspect  the  presence 
of  some  of  the  septic  bacteria,  and  the  results  on  the  general  system  are 
a  high  fever  and  softening  of  the  liver  and  spleen,  and  no  tendency  to 
abscesses  of  the  internal  organs.  Diarrhea  is  a  common  symptom,  and 
death  ensues  early,  the  blood  after  death  being  found  unclotted. 

Complicated  cases  are  common,  and  in  all  alike  the  umbilical  veins 
usually  remain  open  and  can  be  explored  by  a  probe  passed  at  first 
upward  and  then  forward  towards  the  liver. 

Prevention  is  sought  by  applying  a  lotion  of  carbolic  acid  to  the 
navel  string  at  birth,  or  it  may  be  smeared  with  common  wood  tar, 
which  is  at  once  antiseptic  and  a  protective  covering  against  germs. 
In  the  absence  of  either  a  strong  solution  of  oak  bark  may  be  used. 

Local  treatment  consists  in  the  application  of  antiseptics  to  the  sur- 
face and  their  injection  into  the  vein.  As  a  lotion  use  carbolic  acid,  1 
ounce  in  a  quart  of  strong  decoction  of  oak  bark,  or  salicylic  acid  or 
salol  may  be  sprinkled  on  the  surface.  The  interior  of  the  vein  should 
be  swabbed  out  with  a  probe  wrapped  around  with  cottonwool  and 
dipped  in  boracic  or  salicylic  acid. 

If  complications  have  extended  to  the  liver  or  other  internal  organs, 
or  the  joints,  other  treatment  will  be  demanded.  In  acute  cases  of 
general  infection  an  early  fatal  result  is  to  be  expected. 


DISEASES    OF    YOUNG    CALVES.  271 

PY^EMIC  AND    SEPTIC^EXIC   INFLAMMATION   OF  JOINTS  IN  CALVES. — 

JOINT-ILL. 

This  occurs  in  young  calves  within  the  first  months  after  birth;  it 
persists  in  the  joints  when  once  attacked,  and  is  usually  connected  with 
disease  of  the  navel.  Rheumatism,  on  the  other  hand,  rarely  occurs  in 
a  calf  under  a  month  old.  It  tends  to  shift  from  joint  to  joint  and  is 
independent  of  any  iiavel  disease.  Rheumatism,  again,  affects  the  fibrous 
structures  of  the  joints,  and  rarely  results  in  the  formation  of  white 
matter,  while  the  affection  before  named  attacks  the  structures  outside 
as  well  as  inside  the  joints  and  above  all  the  ends  of  the  bones,  and 
tends  to  the  destruction  and  crumbling  of  their  tissue,  and  even  to  the 
formation  of  open  sores  through  which  the  fragile  bones  are  exposed. 
The  microbes  from  the  unhealthy  and  infected  wound  in  the  navel  pass 
into  the  system  through  the  veins,  or,  in  the  case  of  the  erysipelas  germ, 
through  the  lymphatics,  and  form  colonies  and  local  inflammations  and 
abscesses  in  and  around  the  joints. 

The  symptoms  are  swelling  of  one  or  more  joints,  which  are  very  hot  and 
tender.  The  calf  is  stiff  and  lame,  lies  down  constantly,  and  cares  not 
to  suck.  There  is  very  high  fever  and  accelerated  breathing  and  pulse, 
and  there  is  swelling  and  purulent  discharge  (often  fetid)  from  the  navel. 
There  may  be  added  symptoms  of  disease  of  the  liver,  lungs,  heart,  or 
bowels,  on  which  we  need  not  here  delay.  The  important  point  is  to 
determine  the  condition  of  the  navel  in  all  such  cases  of  diseased  and 
swollen  joints  beginning  in  the  first  month  of  life,  and  in  all  cases  of 
general  stiffness,  for  beside  the  diseases  of  the  internal  organs  there 
may  be  abscesses  formed  among  the  muscles  of  the  trunk,  though  the 
joints  appear  sound.  Cases  of  this  kind,  if  they  do  not  speedily  die, 
tend  to  become  emaciated  and  perish  later  in  a  state  of  weakness  and 
exhaustion. 

Prevention  must  begin  with  the  pifrity  of  the  buildings  and  the  navel, 
as  noted  in  the  last  article. 

Treatment  is  in  the  main  antiseptic.  The  slighter  forms  may  be 
painted  daily  with  tincture  of  iodine;  or  an  ointment  of  biniodide  of 
mercury  (1  dram)  and  lard  (2  ounces)  may  be  rubbed  on  the  affected  joints 
daily  until  they  are  blistered.  In  case  of  swellings  containing  matter 
this  may  l>e  drawn  off  through  the  nozzle  of  a  hyiMMlennic  syringe  and 
the  following  solution  injected:  Compound  tincture  of  iodine,  1  dram; 
distilled  (or  boiled)  water,  2  ounces.  Internally  the  calf  may  take  5 
grains  quinia  twice  daily  and  15  grains  hyi>osulphite  of  soda,  or  20 
grains  salicylate  of  soda  three  times  a  day. 

UMBILICAL   IIKBMA — BHKACH   AT   THE   NAVEL. 

This  may  exist  at  birth  from  imperfect  closure  of  the  muscles  around 
the  opening;  it  may  even  extend  backward  for  a  distance  from  two 
sides  failing  to  come  together.  Apart  from  this  the  trouble  rarely 


272  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

appears  after  the  calf  has  been  some  time  on  solid  food,  as  the  paunch 
then  extends  down  to  the  right  over  the  navel,  and  thus  forms  an 
internal  pad  preventing  the  protrusion  of  intestine. 

The  symptoms  of  umbilical  hernia  are  a  soft  swelling  at  the  navel, 
with  contents  that  usually  gurgle  on  handling,  and  can  be  entirely 
returned  into  the  abdomen  by  pressure.  The  diseases  of  the  navel 
hitherto  considered  have  not  gurgling  contents,  and  can  not  be  com- 
pletely returned  into  the  abdomen.  The  only  exception  in  the  case  of 
the  hernia  is  when  the  walls  of  the  sack  have  become  greatly  thickened ; 
these  will,  of  course,  remain  as  a  swelling  after  the  bowel  has  been 
returned  5  and  when  the  protruding  bowel  has  contracted  permanent 
adhesions  to  the  sac  it  is  impossible  to  return  it  fully  without  first  sev- 
ering that  connection. 

Treatment  is  not  always  necessary.  A  small  hernia,  like  an  egg,  in  a 
new-born  calf,  will  usually  recover  of  itself  as  the  animal  changes  its 
diet  to  solid  food  and  has  the  paunch  fully  developed  as  an  internal  pad. 

In  other  cases  apply  a  leather  pad  of  8  inches  square  attached  around 
the  body  by  two  elastic  bands  connected  with  its  four  corners,  and  an 
elastic  band  passing  foin  its  front  border  to  a  collar  encircling  the  neck, 
and  two  other  elastic  bands  from  the  neck  collar  along  the  two  sides  of 
the  body  to  the  two  bands  passing  up  over  the  back.  (Plate  xxiv, 
Fig.  6.) 

For  small  hernias  nitric  acid  may  be  used  to  destroy  the  skin  and 
cause  such  swelling  as  to  close  the  orifice  before  the  skin  is  separated. 
For  a  mass  like  a  large  goose-egg  one-half  ounce  of  the  acid  may  be 
rubbed  in  for  three  minutes.  No  more  must  be  applied  for  fifteen  days. 
For  large  masses  this  is  inapplicable,  and  with  too  much  loss  of  skin  the 
orifice  may  fail  to  close  and  the  bowels  may  escape. 

The  application  of  a  clamp  like  those  used  in  castration  is  a  most 
effective  method,  but  great  care  must  be  taken  to  see  that  all  the  con- 
tents of  the  sack  are  returned  so  that  none  may  be  inclosed  in  the 
clamp.  (Plate  xxiv,  Fig.  7.) 

Another  most  effective  resort  is  to  make  a  saturated  solution  of  com- 
mon salt,  filter  and  boil  it,  and  when  cool  inject  under  the  skin  (not 
into  the  sack)  on  each  side  of  the  hernia  a  dram  of  the  fluid.  A  band- 
age may  then  be  put  around  the  body.  In  ten  hours  an  enormous 
swelling  will  have  taken  place,  pressing  back  the  bowel  into  the  abdo- 
men. When  this  subsides  the  wound  will  have  closed. 

DROPSY   OF   THE   NAVEL. 

A  sack  formed  at  the  navel,  by  contained  liquid  accumulated  by  rea- 
son of  sucking  by  other  calves,  is  unsightly  and  sometimes  injurious. 
After  making  sure  that  it  is  simply  a  dropsical  collection  it  may  be 
deeply  punctured  at  various  points  with  a  large-sized  lancet  or  knife, 
fomented  with  hot  water  and  then  daily  treated  with  a  strong  decoc- 
tion of  white-oak  bark. 


DISEASES   OF   YOUNG   CALVES.  273 

/ 
THE  BLUE  DISEASE — CYANOSIS. 

Tliis  appearing  in  the  calf  at  birth  is  due  to  the  orifice  between  the 
two  auricles  of  the  heart  (foramen  ovale)  remaining  too  open,  allowing 
the  nonaerated  (venous)  blood  to  mix  with  the  aerated  (arterial)  blood, 
and  it  is  beyond  the  reach  of  treatment.  It  is  .recognized  by  the  blue- 
ness  of  the  eyes,  nose,  mouth  and  other  mucous  membranes,  the  cold- 
ness of  the  surface,  and  the  extreme  sensitiveness  to  cold. 

CONSTIPATION. 

At  birth  the  bowels  of  the  calf  contain  the  meconium,  a  tenacious, 
gluey,  brownish-yellow  material  largely  derived  from  the  liver,  which 
must  be  expelled  before  they  can  start  their  functions  normally.  The 
first  milk  of  the  cow  (colostrum,  beestings),  rich  in  albumen  and  salts, 
is  nature's  laxative  to  expel  this  now  offensive  material,  and  should 
never  be  withheld  from  the  calf.  If,  for  lack  of  this,  from  the  dry 
feeding  of  the  cow,  or  from  any  other  cause,  the  calf  is  costive,  strain- 
ing violently  without  passage,  lying  down  and  rising  as  in  colic,  and 
failing  in  appetite,  no  time  should  be  lost  in  givin  g  relief  by  an  ounce 
dose  of  castor  oil,  assisting  its  action  by  injections  of  soapsuds  or  oil. 
Whatever  meconium  is  within  reach  of  the  linger  should  be  carefully 
removed.  It  is  also  important  to  give  the  cow  a  sloppy  laxative  diet. 

INDIGESTION. 

This  may  occur  from  many  different  causes,  as  costiveness,  a  too 
liberal  supply  of  milk;  too  rich  milk;  the  furnishing  of  the  milk  of  a 
cow  long  after  calving  to  a  very  young  calf;  allowing  a  calf  to  suck  the 
first  milk  of  a  cow  that  has  been  hunted,  driven  by  road,  shipped  by 
rail  or  otherwise  violently  excited ;  allowing  the  calf  too  long  time 
between  meals  so  that  impelled  by  hunger  it  quickly  overloads  and 
clogs  the  stomach;  feeding  from  the  pail  milk  that  has  been  held  over 
in  unwashed  (unscalded)  buckets,  so  that  it  is  fermented  and  spoiled; 
feeding  the  milk  of  cows  kept  on  unwholesome  food;  keeping  the  calves 
in  cold,  damp,  dark,  filthy  or  bad  smelling  pens;  feeding  the  calves  on 
artificial  mixtures  containing  too  much  starchy  matters;  or  overfeed  ing 
the  calves  on  artificial  food  that  may  be  appropriate  enough  in  smaller 
amount.  The  licking  of  hair  from  themselves  or  others,  and  their  for- 
mation into  balls  in  the  stomach  will  cause  obstinate  indigestion  in  the 
calf. 

The  symptom*  an*  dullness,  Indisposition  to  move,  uneasiness,  eructa- 
tions of  gas  from  the  stomach,  sour  breath,  entire  loss  of  appetite,  lying 
down  and  rising  as  if  in  pain,  fullness  of  the  abdomen,  which  gives  out 
a  drumlike  sound  when  tapped  with  the  lingers.  The  costiveness  may 
be  marked  at  first,  but  HOOII  it  gives  place  to  diarrhea,  by  which  the 
offensive  matters  may  be  carried  off  ami  health  restored.  In  other 
24697 18 


274  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

cases  it  becomes  aggravated,  merges  into  inflammation  of  the  bowclsy 
fever  sets  in  and  the  calf  gradually  sinks. 

Prevention  consists  in  avoiding  the  causes  above  enumerated,  or  any 
others  that  may  be  detected. 

Treatment  consists  in  first  clearing  away  the  irritant  present  in  the 
bowels.  For  this  purpose  one  or  two  ounces  of  castor  oil  with  20  drops 
of  laudanum  may  be  given,  and  if  the  sour  eructations  are  marked  a 
tablespoonful  of  lime-water  or  one-fourth  ounce  calcined  magnesia  may 
be  given  and  repeated  two  or  three  times  a  day.  If  the  disorder  con- 
tinues after  the  removal  of  the  irritant  a  large  tablespoonful  of  rennet, 
or  30  grains  of  pepsin,  may  be  given  at  each  meal  along  with  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  tincture  of  gentian.  Any  return  of  constipation  must  be 
treated  by  injections  of  warm  water  and  soap,  while  the  persistence  of 
diarrhea  must  be  met  as  advised  under  the  article  following  this.  In 
case  of  the  formation  of  loose  hair-balls  inclosing  milk  undergoing 
putrid  fermentation  temporary  benefit  may  be  obtained  by  giving  a 
tablespoonful  of  vegetable  charcoal  three  or  four  times  a  day,  but  the 
only  real  remedy  for  thase  is  to  cut  open  the  paunch  and  extract  them. 
At  this  early  age  they  may  be  found  in  the  third  or  even  the  fourth 
stomach  j  in  the  adult  they  are  confined  to  the  first  two,  and  are  com- 
paratively harmless. 

DIARRHEA   (SCOURING)   IN   CALVES— SIMPLE  AND   CONTAGIOUS. 

As  stated  in  the  last  article,  scouring  is  a  common  result  of  indiges- 
tion, and  at  first  may  be  nothing  more  than  an  attempt  of  nature  to 
relieve  the  stomach  and  bowels  of  offensive  and  irritating  contents.  As 
the  indigestion  persists,  however,  the  fermentations  going  on  in  the 
undigested  masses  become  steadily  more  complex  and  active,  and  what 
was  at  first  the  mere  result  of  irritation  or  suspended  digestion  comes  to 
be  a  genuine  contagious  disease,  in  which  the  organized  ferments  (bacte- 
ria) propagate  the  affection  from  animal  to  animal  and  from  herd  to  herd. 
More  than  once  I  have  seen  such  epizootic  diarrhea  starting  on  the 
head  waters  of  a  creek,  and  traveling  along  that  stream  follow  the  water- 
shed and  attacking  the  herds  supplied  with  water  from  the  contamin- 
ated channel.  In  the  same  way,  the  disease  once  started  in  a  cow  stable, 
is  liable  to  persist  for  years,  or  until  the  building  has  been  thoroughly 
cleansed  and  disinfected.  It  may  be  carried  into  a  healthy  stable  by 
the  introduction  of  a  cow  brought  from  an  infected  stable  when  she  is 
closely  approaching  calving.  Another  method  of  its  introduction  is  by 
the  purchase  of  a  calf  from  a  herd  where  the  infection  exists. 

In  enumerating  the  other  causes  of  this  disease  we  may  refer  to  those 
noted  above  as  inducing  indigestion.  As  a  primary  consideration  any 
condition  which  lowers  the  vitality  or  vigor  of  the  calf  must  be  accorded 
a  prominent  place  among  factors  which,  apart  from  contagion,  contrib- 
ute to  start  the  disease  de  noro.  Other  things  being  equal,  the  strong, 
vigorous  races  are  the  least  predisposed  to  the  malady,  and  in  this 


DISEASES   OF   YOUNG   CALVES. 


275 


respect  the  compact  form,  the  healthy  coat,  the  clear  eye,  and  the  bold, 
active  carriage,  are  desirable.  Even  the  color  of  the  hair  is  uot  uuiin- 
portant,  as  in  the  same  herd  I  have  found  a  far  greater  number  of  vic- 
tims among  the  light  colors  (light  yellow,  light  brown)  than  among 
those  of  a  darker  tint.  This  constitutional  predisposition  to  indigestion 
and  diarrhea  is  sometimes  fostered  by  too  close  breeding,  without  tak 
ing  due  account  of  the  maintenance  of  a  robust  constitution,  and  hence 
animals  that  are  very  much  inbred  need  to  be  especially  observed  and 
cared  for  unless  their  inherent  vigor  has  been  thoroughly  attested. 

The  surroundings  of  the  calf  are  powerful  influences.  Calves  kept 
indoors  suffer  to  a  greater  extent  than  those  running  in  the  open  air  and 
having  the  invigorating  influences  of  sunshine,  pure  air,  and  exercise. 
But  close,  crowded,  filthy,  bad-smelling  buildings  are  especially  caus- 
ative of  the  complaint.  The  presence  in  the  air  of  carbon-dioxide,  the 
product  of  breathing,  and  of  the  fetid  gaseous  products  of  decompos- 
ing dung  and  urine  diminish  by  about  one-fourth  of  their  volume  the 
life-giving  oxygen,  and  in  the  same  ratio  hinder  the  aeration  of  the 
blood  and  the  maintenance  of  vigorous  health.  Worse  than  this,  such 
fetid  gases  are  usually  direct  poisons  to  the  animal  breathing  them, 
for  example,  sulphuretted  hydrogen  (hydrogen  sulphide  2  SH2),  and  vari- 
ous alkaloids  (ptomaines)  and  toxins  (neutral  poisonous  principles)  pro- 
duced in  the  filth  fermentations.  These  lower  the  general  health  and 
stamina,  impair  digestion,  and  by  leading  to  the  accumulation  in  stom- 
ach and  bowels  of  undigested  materials  they  lay  the  foundation  for 
offensive  fermentations  within  these  organs,  and  consequent  irritation, 
poisoning,  and  diarrhea.  They  further  weaken  the  system  so  that  it 
can  no  longer  resist  and  overcome  the  trouble. 

The  condition  of  the  nursing  cow  and  her  milk  is  another  potent 
cause  of  trouble.  The  food  of  the  cow  is  important.  The  influence  of 
this  is  shown  in  the  following  tables: 

Becqucrel  and  Fcrnois. 


Character  of  feed.               % 

Water. 

Cunein 
and  ex- 

tractive 
matter. 

Milk 
mijjur. 

liutter. 

Salts. 

('.own  on  winter  feed: 
Trefoil  or  liicrnw»,  15-13  pmindft;    oat  utrnw,  0-10 

]"''i!nl-»;  'M  •  i  -.  7  pound*;  water,  2  l>!ick«t«  

I'arttin 
1.000. 
871.28 

£19.  .Vt 

KM.  08 

-- 
-    • 

1'artf  in 

1,000. 
47.81 

r>4  7 

47.38 
35.  14 

I'artt  in 
l.OW. 
33.47 

36.  3d 

35.47 

- 

I'art*  in 
J.rtrW. 
42.07 

42.70 

f.2.  R4 
33.  «W 
50.87 

Part*  in 

1.0W. 
5.34 

6  80 

f».M 
5.72 
0.  IS 

Cow*  on  MiiniiH-r  f«  «•'!  : 
Greru  trvlt.il.  luci-rue,  main  ,  li.-trley.  ffnuM,  2  l>uck*ts 
water  

Ooat'ft  milk  ou  diUorewt  fowl  : 
(hi  straw  and  trefoil.  

On  baeU  

Normal  mean  

In  these  examples  the  deterioration  of  the  milk  in  casein  on  the  loss 
nutritious  winter  feeding  is  very  marked,  although  the  relative  amount 
of  butter  remains  almost  unchanged.  In  the  case  of  the  goat  tin-  re- 
sult is  even  more  striking,  the  beet  diet  giving  a  very  large  decrease  of 
both  casein  and  butter  and  an  increase  of  milk  sugar. 


276 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


The  following  table,  condensed  from  the  Iowa  Agricultural  Experi- 
ment Station  Bulletin,  gives  the  results  in  butter  and  total  solids  when 
the  same  cows  were  fed  on  different  rations  in  succession.  Each  cow 
was  fed  a  daily  ration  of  12  pounds  corn  fodder  and  4  pounds  clover 
hay,  beside  the  test  diet  of  (1)  12£  pounds  corn  and  cobmeal,  and  (2) 
10  pounds  sugar  meal — a  product  of  the  glucose  manufacture.  This 
special  feed  was  given  seven  days  before  the  commencement  of  each 
test  period  to  obviate  the  eft'ects  of  transition.  The  analyses  of  the 
special  rations  are  given  below : 


Constituents. 

Corn  and 
cob  meal. 

Sugar  meal. 

Per  cent. 
13  37 

Per  cent. 
6  10 

S;>lts                                  

1.43 

1.17 

Fat                                

2.81 

11.16 

65  99 

52  66 

8.03 

8.64 

8.37 

20.27 

The  great  excess  of  fat  and  nitrogenous  or  flesh-forming  principles 
in  the  Isugar  meal  is  very  evident. 


Animal. 

Milk. 

Fat. 

Solids. 

Fat. 

Solids. 

Ratio  of  fat 
to  solids  not 
fat. 

Grade  Shorthorn  cow: 
First  period,  21  days,  corn  and  cob  meal.. 

Pounds. 
631.  25 
641  50 

P.  ct. 

3.43 
4  04 

Per  ct. 
11.57 
12  53 

Poundt. 
21.67 
25  93 

Pounds. 
73.02 
83  38 

422    1,000 
476  2    1  000 

Third  period,  21  days,  corn  and  cob  meal  . 
Grade  Shorthorn  cow  : 
First  period,  21  days,  corn  and  cobmeal.  .  . 

559.  00 

604.75 
582  00 

3.22 

3.57 
3  91 

11.86 

11.95 
12  37 

17.97 

21.56 
22  74 

66.32 

72.28 

72  57 

371.7    1,000 

425.  1    1,  000 
456  3    1  000 

Third  period,  21  days,  corn  and  cob  meal  . 
Grade  Shorthorn  cow  : 
First  period,  21  days,  sugar  meal  
Second  period,  21  days,  corn  and  cob  meal 

527.  00 

753.  50 
601.  50 
560  50 

3.37 

3.97 
3.15 
3  85 

12.05 

12.43 
11.45 
12  16 

17.78 

29.94 
18.97 
21  58 

63.48 

93.67 
68.89 
68  16 

389.1    1,000 

469.8    1,000 
380.0    1,000 
463  3     1  000 

Grade.  Hoist  ein  cow: 

487.  50 

4.15 

13.27 

20  25 

64  69 

455  6    1  000 

Second  period,  21  days,  corn  and  cob  meal 
Third  period  21  days,  sugar  meal  

379.  00 
374.  50 

3.51 
3.72 

12.69 
13.01 

13.30 
13.95 

48.09 

48/74 

382.3    1,000 
401.  0     1,  000 

Here  we  see  in  every  instance  a  marked  relative  increase  of  the  but- 
ter, and  to  a  less  extent  of  the  other  milk  solids  whenever  the  sugar 
meal— rich  in  fat  and  albuminoids — was  furnished.  The  opposite  theory 
having  been  largely  taught  it  becomes  needful  to  thus  sustain  the  old 
and  well-founded  belief  of  the  dairymen. 

Not  only  does  the  richness  of  the  milk  vary  with  the  nature  of  the 
food,  but  it  varies  also  according  to  the  time  of  the  day  when  it  is 
drawn,  the  morning  milk  giving  7£  per  cent  of  cream  and  the  evening 
milk  9£  per  cent  (Hassall).  Boedecker  found  that  the  morning  milk 
had  10  per  cent  of  solids,  while  the  evening  milk  had  13  per  cent. 
Again,  the  milk  first  drawn  at  any  milking  is  always  poorer  than  the 
last  drawn.  The  first  may  have  only  one-half,  or  in  extreme  cases  one- 
fourth,  the  cream  of  the  last.  Once  more,  when  the  cow  is  in  heat  the 
milk  becomes  richer  in  solids  (casein  and  butter),  and  contains  gran- 


DISEASES   OF   YOUNG   CALVES.  277 

ular  and  white  blood-cells  like  the  colostrum,  and  often  disagrees  with 
the  young  animal  living  on  it.  Now,  while  these  various  modifications 
in  the  amount  of  solid  matters  may  prove  harmless  to  a  strong  and 
vigorous  calf,  they  can  easily  be  the  occasion  of  intestinal  disorder  in 
a  weaker  one,  or  in  one  with  health  already  somewhat  impaired  by  sick- 
ness, exposure,  or  unwholesome  buildings.  The  casein  of  the  cow's 
milk  coagulates  in  one  solid  mass,  and  is  much  less  easily  penetrated 
by  the  digesting  fluids  than  the  fine  flaky  coagula  of  woman's  or  mare's 
milk.  An  excess  of  casein,  therefore,  thrown  on  an  already  overtaxed 
stomach  can  all  the  more  readily  induce  disorder.  So  with  butter  fat. 
While  a  most  important  element  in  nutrition,  it  may  be  present  in  the 
stomach  in  such  amount  as  to  interfere  with  the  action  of  the  gastric 
juice  on  the  casein,  and  with  the  interruption  of  the  natural  stomach 
digestion  the  fats  themselves  undergo  decomposition  with  the  produc- 
tion of  offensive  and  irritating  fatty  acids. 

The  milk  of  the  very  young  cow  is  usually  more  watery  than  that  of 
the  mature  animal,  and  that  of  the  old  cow  has  a  greater  liability  to 
become  acid.  It  varies  much  with  the  breed,  the  Channel  Island  cattle 
being  notorious  for  the  relatively  large  amount  of  cream,  while  the  Hoi- 
steins,  Ayrshires,  and  Shorthorns  are  remarkable  rather  for  the  amount 
of  casein.  The  milk  of  cows  fed  on  potatoes  and  grass  is  very  poor 
and  watery;  that  from  cows  fed  on  cabbage  or  Swedish  turnips  has  a 
disagreeable  taste  and  odor  (from  the  former  an  offensive  liquid  has 
been  distilled). 

Cows  fed  on  overkept,  fermented,  and  soured  rations  have  acid  milk 
which  readily  turns  and  coagulates.  Thus  old,  long-kept  brewers'  grains, 
swill,  the  refuse  of  glucose  factories,  and  ensilage  which  has  been  put  up 
too  green,  all  act  in  this  way.  The  same  may  come  from  disease  in  the 
cow's  udder,  or  any  general  disease  of  the  cow  with  attendant  fever, 
and  in  all  such  cases  the  tendency  is  to  rapid  change  and  unwholesome- 
ness.  If  the  milk  is  drawn  and  fed  from  a  pail  there  is  the  added  dan- 
ger of  all  sorts  of  poisonous  ferments  getting  into  it  and  multiplying; 
it  may  be  from  the  imperfect  cleansing  and  scalding  of  the  pail;  from 
rinsing  the  pails  with  water  that  is  impure;  from  the  entrance  of  bac- 
terial ferments  floating  in  the  filthy  atmosphere  of  the  stable,  or  from 
the  entrance  of  the  volatile  chemical  products  of  fermentation. 

In  addition  to  the  dangers  coining  through  the  milk,  the  calf  suffers 
in  its  digestive  powers  from  any  temporary  illness,  and  among  others 
from  the  excitement  attendant  on  the  cutting  of  teeth,  and  impaired 
digestion  means  fermentations  in  the  undigested  masses  and  the  exces- 
sive production  of  poisonous  ptomaines  and  toxins. 

Whatever  may  be  the  starting  or  predisposing  cause  of  this  malady, 
when  once  established  it  in  liable  to  perpetuate  itself  by  contagion  and 
to  prove  a  veritable  plague  in  a  herd  or  a  district. 

The  Kt/tnptomx  of  diarrhea  may  appear  so  promptly  after  birth  as  to 
lead  to  the  idea  that  the  cause  already  existed  in  Hie  body  of  the  csilf, 


278"  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

and  it  usually  shows  itself  before  the  end  of  the  second  week.  It  may 
be  preceded  by  constipation,  as  in  retained  mecoiiium  or  by  fetid  eruc- 
tations and  colicky  pains,  as  in  acute  indigestion.  The  tail  is  stained 
by  the  liquid  dejections,  which  are  at  first  simply  soft  and  mixed  with 
mucus  with  a  sour  odor,  accompanied  by  a  peculiar  and  characteristic 
fetor  (suggesting  rotten  cheese),  which  continually  grows  worse.  The 
amount  of  water  and  mucus  steadily  increases,  the  normal  predomi- 
nance of  fatty  matters  becoming  modified  by  the  presence  of  a  consid- 
erable amount  of  undigested  casein,  which  is  not  present  in  the  healthy 
feces,  and  in  acute  cases  death  may  result  in  one  or  two  days  from  the 
combined  drain  on  the  system  and  the  poisoning  by  the  absorbed 
products  of  the  decomposition  in  the  stomach  and  bowels.  When  the 
case  is  prolonged  the  passages,  at  first  five  or  six  per  day,  increase  to 
fifteen  or  twenty,  and  pass  with  more  and  more  straining,  so  that  they 
are  projected  from  the  animal  in  a  liquid  stream.  The  color  of  the 
feces,  at  first  yellow,  becomes  a  lighter  grayish  yellow  or  of  a  dirty 
white  (hence  the  name  white  scour),  and  the  fetor  becomes  intolerable. 
At  first  the  calf  retains  its  appetite,  but  as  the  severity  of  the  disease 
increases  the  animal  shows  less  and  less  disposition  to  suck,  and  has 
lost  all  vivacity,  lying  dull  and  listless,  and  when  raised  walking  weakly 
and  unsteadily.  Flesh  is  lost  rapidly,  the  hair  stands  erect,  the  skin 
gets  dry  and  scurfy,  the  nose  is  dry  and  hot,  or  this  condition  alter- 
nates with  a  moist  and  cool  one.  By  this  time  the  mouth  and  skin,  as 
well  as  the  breath  and  dung,  exhale  the  peculiar  penetrating,  sour, 
offensive  odor,  and  the  poor  calf  has  become  an  object  of  disgust  to  all 
that  approach  it.  At  first,  and  unless  inflammation  of  the  stomach 
and  bowels  supervene  (and  unless  the  affection  has  started  in  indiges- 
tion and  colic),  the  belly  is  not  bloated  nor  painful  on  pressure,  symp- 
toms of  acute  colicky  pains  are  absent,  and  the  bowels  do  not  rumble, 
nor  are  bubbles  of  gas  mingled  with  the  feces.  The  irritant  products 
of  the  intestinal  fermentations  may,  however,  irritate  and  excoriate  the 
skin  around  the  anus,  which  becomes  red,  raw,  and  broken  out  in  sores 
for  some  distance.  Similarly  the  rectum,  exposed  by  reason  of  the 
relaxed  condition  of  the  anus,  or  temporarily  in  straining  to  pass  the 
liquid  dejection,  is  of  a  more  or  less  deep  red,  and  it  may  be  ulcerated. 
Fever,  with  rapid  pulse  and  increased  breathing  and  temperature, 
usually  comes  on  with  the  very  fetid  character  of  the  feces  and  is 
more  pronounced  as  the  bowels  become  inflamed,  the  abdomen  sore  to 
the  touch  and  tucked  up,  and  the  feces  more  watery,  and  even  mixed 
with  blood. 

The  prevention  of  these  cases  is  the  prevention  of  constipation  and 
indigestion  with  all  their  varied  causes  as  above  enumerated,  the  selec- 
tion of  a  strong,  vigorous  stock,  and  above  all  the  combating  of  conta- 
gion, especially  in  the  separation  of  the  sick  from  the  healthy,  and  in 
the  thorough  purification  and  disinfection  of  the  buildings.  The  cleans- 
ing and  sweetening  of  all  drains,  the  removal  of  dung  heaps,  and  the 


DISEASES    OF   YOUNG   CALVES.  279 

Trashing  and  scraping  of  floors  and  walls,  followed  by  a  liberal  applica- 
tion of  chloride  of  lime  (bleaching  powder),  4  ounces  to  the  gallon,  are 
indicated.  Great  care  must  be  exercised  in  the  feeding  of  the  cow  to 
have  sound  and  wholesome  food  and  water,  so  apportioned  as  to  make 
the  milk  neither  too  rich  nor  too  poor,  and  to  her  health  so  that  the 
calf  may  be  saved  from  the  evil  consequences  of  poisonous  principles 
that  may  be  produced  in  the  body  of  the  cow.  The  calves  should  be 
carefully  kept  apart  from  all  calving  cows  and  their  discharges.  Simi- 
larly each  calf  must  have  special  attention  to  see  that  its  nurse  gives 
milk  which  agrees  with  it,  and  that  this  is  furnished  at  suitable  times. 
If  allowed  to  suck  it  should  either  be  left  with  the  cow  or  it  may  be  fed 
three  times  a  day.  If  it  comes  hungry  twice  a  day  it  is  more  likely  to 
overload  and  derange  the  stomach,  and  if  left  too  long  hungry  it  is 
tempted  to  take  in  unsuitable  and  unwholesome  food,  for  which  its 
stomach  is  as  yet  unprepared.  So  if  fed  from  the  pail  it  is  safer  to  do 
so  three  times  daily  than  twice.  The  utmost  cleanliness  of  feeding- 
dishes  should  be  secured  and  the  feeder  must  be  ever  on  the  alert  to 
prevent  the  strong  and  hungry  from  drinking  the  milk  of  the  weaker  in 
addition  to  their  own.  In  case  the  cow  nurse  has  been  subjected  to 
any  great  excitement  by  reason  of  travel,  hunting,  or  carrying,  the  first 
milk  she  yields  thereafter  should  be  used  for  some  other  purpose  and 
only  the  second  allowed  to  the  calf.  Indeed,  one  and  all  of  the  condi- 
tions above  indicated  as  causes  should  be  judiciously  guarded  against. 

Treatment  will  vary  according  to  the  nature  and  stage  of  the  disease. 
"When  the  disease  is  not  widespread,  but  isolated  cases  only  occur,  it 
may  be  assumed  to  be  a  simple  diarrhea  and  is  easily  dealt  with.  The 
first  object  is  to  remove  the  irritant  matter  from  stomach  and  bowels, 
and  for  this  1  or  2  ounces  of  castor  oil  may  be  given  according  to  the 
size  of  the  calf.  If  the  stools  smell  particularly  sour,  it  may  be  replaced 
by  1  ounce  calcined  magnesia,  and  in  any  case  a  tablespoouful  or  two 
of  lime-water  must  be  given  with  each  meal.  Great  harm  is  often  done 
by  giving  opium  and  astringents  at  the  outset.  These  merely  serve  to 
bind  up  the  bowels  and  retain  the  irritant  source  of  the  trouble  j  liter- 
ally "  to  shut  up  the  wolf  in  the  sheepfold."  When  the  offending  agents 
have  been  expelled  in  this  way  carminatives  and  demulcent  agents  may 
be  given :  One  dm  in  anise  water,  1  dram  nitrate  of  bismuth,  and  1 
dram  gum  arabic,  three  times  a  day.  Under  such  a  course  the  consist 
ency  of  the  stools  should  increase  until  in  a  day  or  two  they  become 
natural. 

If,  however,  the  outbreak  is  more  general  and  evidently  the  result  of 
contagion,  the  first  consideration  is  to  remove  all  sources  of  such  con- 
tamination. Test  the  milk  of  the  cow  with  blue  litmus  paper,  and  if 
it  reddens  reject  the  milk  of  that  cow  until  by  sound  dry  feeding,  with 
perhaps  a  course  of  hyposulphite  of  soda  and  gentian  root,  her  milk 
shall  have  ln-«-n  made  alkaline.  The  castor  oil  or  magnesia  will  still 
be  demanded  to  clear  away  the  (uow  infecting)  irritants,  but  they  should 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  « 

be  combined  with  antiseptics,  and,  while  the  lime-water  and  the  car- 
minative mixture  may  still  be  used,  a  most  valuable  addition  will  be 
found  in  the  following :  Calomel  10  grains,  prepared  chalk  1  ounce,  creo- 
sote 1  teaspoonful;  mix,  divide  into  10  parts,  and  give  one  four  times 
a  day.  Or  the  following  may  be  given  four  times  a  day:  One  dram 
Dover's  powder,  G  grains  powdered  ipecacuanha;  mix,  divide  into  10 
equal  parts.  Injections  of  solutions  of  gnm  arabic  are  often  useful, 
and  if  the  anus  is  red  and  excoriated,  £  dram  of  copperas  may  be  added 
to  each  pint  of  the  gummy  solution.  All  the  milk  given  must  be  boiled, 
and  if  that  does  not  agree,  eggs  made  into  an  emulsion  with  barley- 
water,  may  be  substituted.  Small  doses  (tablespoonful)  of  port  wine 
are  often  useful  from  the  first,  and  as  the  feces  lose  their  watery  char- 
acter and  become  more  consistent,  tincture  of  gentian  in  doses  of  two 
teaspoonfuls  may  be  given  three  or  four  times  a  day.  Counterirritants, 
such  as  mustard,  ammonia,  or  oil  of  turpentine,  may  be  rubbed  on  the 
abdomen  when  that  becomes  tender  to  the  touch. 

OTHER  AILMENTS    OF   THE   CALF. 

Among  these  may  be  named  several  congenital  imperfections,  such  as 
hnperforate  anus,  vulva,  or  prepuce,  which  are  to  be  recognized  by  the 
inability  to  pass  dung  or  urine,  in  spite  of  straining,  and  the  formation 
of  swellings  in  the  anus,  vulva,  or  sheath.  Each  must  be  carefully 
incised  with  the  knife,  taking  care  not  to  injure  the  muscles  which  cir- 
cumscribe the  respective  openings.  Also  tongue-tie,  in  which  the  thin 
flaccid  mucous  membrane  passing  from  the  median  line  of  the  lower 
surface  of  the  tongue  binds  the  latter  too  closely  to  the  floor  of  the 
mouth  and  renders  the  tongue  unfit  for  gathering  in  the  food  in  after 
life.  This  must  be  cut  with  knife  or  scissors  so  as  to  give  the  tongue  a 
reasonable  amount  of  liberty. 

Aphtha  or  Thrush  is  another  trouble  of  the  sucking  calf,  showing 
itself  as  a  white  curdy  elevation  on  the  tongue,  lips,  cheeks,  or  gums, 
and  when  detached  leaving  a  raw,  red,  angry  surface.  It  is  due  to  the 
growth  of  a  vegetable  parasite  long  recognized  as  the  O'idium  albicans, 
but  which  Grawitz  identifies  as  the  Mycoderma  vim.  It  is  easily 
removed  by  rubbing  with  powdered  borax,  but  inasmuch  as  other  colo- 
•nies  are  likely  to  start  either  in  the  mouth  or  lower  down  in  the 
pharynx,  gullet,  or  stomach,  it  is  well  to  give  a  dose  of  one-half  dram 
of  hyposulphite  of  soda  in  water  day  by  day  for  several  days. 

Rickets  is  not  a  common  disease  in  calves,  and  comes  on,  if  at  all, 
later  than  those  we  have  been  considering.  It  consists  in  softening 
and  friability  of  the  bones  from  a  deficiency  of  lime  salts,  and  appears 
to  be  mainly  connected  with  an  inherited  weakness  of  constitution, 
unsuitable  feeding,  cold,  close,  damp  buildings,  and  other  conditions 
inimical  to  health.  The  prevention  and  treatment  of  rickets  consists 
essentially  in  the  improvement  of  the  digestion  and  general  health; 
hence  sunshine,  open  air,  exercise,  nourishing  food,  and  tonics  are  indi- 
cated. 


BONES-DISEASES  AND  ACCIDENTS. 


By  the  late  V.  T.  ATKINSON,  V.  S., 

Professor  of  Veterinary   Science,   Wisconsin   State    University,    ex-State    Veterinarian, 

Wisconsin,  etc. 


To  facilitate  the  study  of  diseases  of  bones  and  the  accidental  injuries 
to  which  they  are  exposed,  some  knowledge  of  the  skeleton  is  advisable. 
The  skeleton  of  the  adult  ox  is  made  up  of  the  following  number  of  bones : 

Spinal  column 43 

Of  the  head 28 

Of  the  chest 27 

Of  the  shoulder 2 — 1  on  each  side. 

Of  the  arm 2 — 1  on  each  side. 

Of  the  fore  arm 4 — 2  on  each  side. 

Of  the  fore  foot 40 — 20  on  each  side. 

Of  the  pelvis 2 — 1  on  each  side. 

Of  the  thigh 2 — 1  on  each  side. 

Of  the  leg 6 — 3  on  each  side. 

Of  the  hind  foot 38 — 19  on  each  side. 

Without  attempting  to  burden  the  reader  with  the  technical  names 
and  a  scientific  classification  of  each,  I  deem  it  desirable  to  describe 
some  of  the  characteristics  of  forms  in  general,  and  of  a  few  classes 
into  which  they  may  be  divided,  leaving  the  special  study  of  individual 
bones  to  the  illustrations  of  the  skeleton  (Plate  xxv),  which  will  serve 
better  than  any  amount  of  writing  to  fix  in  the  mind  of  the  reader  the 
location,  relation,  and  function  of  each  one.  In  early  fetal  life  the 
place  of  bone  is  supplied  by  temporary  cartilage,  which  gradually 
changes  to  bone.  For  convenience  of  study,  bones  may  be  said  to  be 
composed  of  two  elementary  constituents — the  organic  or  animal  and 
the  inorganic  or  earthy.  In  young  animals  the  former  predominates; 
with  increasing  years  the  relative  proportions  of  the  two  change,  80 
that  when  advanced  age  is  reached  the  proportion  of  inorganic  far  ex- 
ceeds the  organic.  The  gradual  change  with  advancing  years  from 
organic  to  inorganic  has  the  effect  of  rendering  the  bone  harder  and  more 
brittle,  and  though  it  is  stronger  the  reparatory  process  is  slower 
when  injury  does  occur. 

The  bones  are  nourished  in  two  ways:  first,  from  the  outside  through 
their  covering,  called  the  periosteum — the  thin  strong  membrane  that 

281 


282  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

covers  every  part  of  the  bone  except  at  the  joints — and,  second,  from 
within  through  the  minute  branches  of  blood-vessels,  which  pass  into 
the  bones  through  holes  (foramen]  on  their  surface  and  are  distributed 
in  the  soft  structure  (medulla)  of  the  inside.  The  structure  of  the  bone 
is  divided  into  two  parts :  the  compact  or  hard  material  of  the  outside, 
which  gives  strength  and  is  more  abundant  in  the  shafts  of  long  bones ; 
and  the  cancellated  softer  tissue  of  the  inside,  which  affords  accommo- 
dation to  the  blood  vessels  necessary  for  the  nourishment  of  that  part 
of  the  structure. 

In  shape  bones  are  divided  into  three  classes :  long,  flat,  and  irregu- 
lar. The  long  bones  are  the  ribs  and  those  mostly  found  in  the  limbs, 
the  flat  bones  in  the  head,  the  shoulder  and  the  pelvis,  and  the  irregu- 
lar in  the  spinal  column  and  the  bones  of  the  head. 

DISEASES    OF  BONES. 

The  diseased  conditions  found  in  bones  are  classified  briefly  as  fol- 
lows: Inflammation  of  the  structure  of  the  bones  (ostitis),  which  may 
be  either  acute  or  chronic,  and  may  involve  the  whole  extent  of  the 
bone  affected,  or  maybe  confined  to  only  a  portion  of  it;  inflammation 
of  the  covering  of  the  bone  (periostitis) ;  formation  of  tumor  or  enlarge- 
ment on  the  surface  of  a  bone  (exostosis),  which  is  liable  to  occur  in  any 
part  of  the  bone  covered  with  periosteum,  and  is  a  common  result  of 
inflammation  of  that  membrane,  which,  when  it  occurs  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  a  joint  and  involves  two  or  more  bones,  is  likely  to  result  in  their 
union  (anchylosis).  The  inflammatory  condition  sometimes  assumes  an 
ulcerated  form  (caries),  which  from  interrupted  nutrition  of  the  part 
deprived  of*  the  blood  necessary  to  its  nourishment  occasionally  dies, 
and  becoming  separated  from  the  main  portion  of  the  bone,  acts  as  a 
foreign  body  (necrosis).  Soft  bones  (mollities  ossium)  is  the  condition 
found  in  young  animals  in  which  the  proportion  of  inorganic  or  earthy 
matter  is  too  small  to  give  the  necessary  stability,  so  that  the  bones, 
particularly  of  the  limbs,  bend.  Kickets  or  bending  of  the  bones  arises 
from  this  condition.  In  some  cases  the  long  bones  of  the  limb  are  too 
weak  at  birth  to  support  the  weight  of  the  animal,  and  temporary  splints 
carefully  padded  and  wrapped  on  with  soft  bandages  become  necessary. 
Hard  bones  (fragilitas  ossium)  is  the  condition  opposite  to  that  last 
described,  and  occurs  in  old  animals,  where  through  deficiency  of  ani- 
mal or  organic  matter  the  bones  become  unduly  hard  and  brittle,  ren- 
dering them  more  liable  to  fracture  and  more  difficult  to  unite  when 
such  an  accident  occurs.  With  this  little  introduction,  which  seems 
almost  indispensable,  we  will  proceed  at  once  to  the  consideration  of 
accidents. 

SPRAINS. 

The  most  common  accident  occurring  to  bones  and  joints  is  a  sprain 
of  the  ligaments  uniting  the  bones,  or  the  tendons  uniting  the  muscles 


BONES — DISEASES   AND   ACCIDENTS.  283 

and  bones.  A  sprain  is  the  result  of  a  sudden  forcing  of  a-joint  in  an 
unnatural  direction;  or,  if  in  a  natural  direction,  beyond  the  power  of 
the  ligament  or  tendon  to  properly  restrain  it,  so  that  part  of  the  fibers 
of  either  are  ruptured.  When  such  an  accident  occurs  pain  is  imme- 
diately inflicted,  varying  in  degree  with  the  extent  of  the  injury,  which 
is  soon  followed  by  swelling,  with  more  or  less  heat  and  tenderness. 
If  the  seat  of  the  injury  be  in  any  of  the  limbs  lameness  is  likely  to  be 
the  result.  Of  the  causes  of  sprain,  slipping  on  ice  or  a  wet  floor, 
playing  or  fighting  with  another  animal  are  the  most  common. 

Sprain  of  the  shoulder  joint. — This  is  likely  to  occur  from  any  of  the 
eauses  mentioned  above  or  from  the  animal  slipping  suddenty  in  a  rut 
or  hole.  When  such  an  accident  occurs  sudden  lameness  will  attract 
attention.  The  animal  will  be  noticed  to  drag  the  leg  when  walking, 
at  each  step  carrying  it  in  a  circular  direction,  outward  and  forward. 
The  leg  should  be  carefully  examined,  pressure  over  the  joint  causing 
the  animal  to  evince  pain.  If  the  person  making  the  examination  is  in 
doubt  it  is  well  to  make  a  comparison  between  the  shoulders  by  press- 
ing first  on  one  and  then  the  other.  After  such  an  accident  the  animal 
should  be  tied  up  so  as  to  limit  as  far  as  possible  the  use  of  the  injured 
joint.  Soft  food  -should  be  given  with  a  view  to  keeping  the  bowels 
acting  freely.  The  first  part  of  the  treatment  may  consist  of  an  appli- 
cation of  extract  of  witch-hazel  twice  a  day,  freely  applied  around  the 
injury.  Should  the  lameness  continue  after  the  tenth  day  good  results 
will  be  obtained  from  the  application  of  a  blister,  which  should  be  done 
by  carefully  clipping  the  hair  off  over  the  joint,  including  a  surface  of 
4  or  5  inches  in  circumference,  and  rubbing  in  the  following  preparation : 

Powdered  eantharides ^  ounce. 

Spirits  of  turpentine 2   drums. 

Vaseline 1$  ounce. 

The  animal's  head  should  be  carefully  tied  to  prevent  licking  the 
blister  until  the  third  day.  The  blistered  surface  should  then  be 
smeared  with  lard  or  vaseline  every  other  day  until  the  scabs  fall  off. 
Gentle  exercise  should  be  allowed  after  the  fourth  or  fifth  day  from  the 
application  of  tho  blister.  If  the  lameness  still  remains  the  blister  may 
be  repeated  in  three  weeks  or  a  month. 

Sprain  of  the  Fetlock. — This  may  occur  from  misstep  when  the  animal 
is  moving  rapidly  and  the  twisting  or  wrenching  of  the  foot  is  Miflicicnt 
to  partially  rupture  the  ligaments  which  bind  the  bones  together  at 
that  part.  Such  an  accident  also  frequently  occurs  from  the  foot  becom- 
ing lash-iied  in  a  hole  in  the  lloor,  and  the  wrenching  is  the  result  of 
the  animal's  attempt  to  liberate  it.  Lameness,  followed  by  swelling  of 
the  joint  and  pain  when  it  is  handled,  or  when  the  animal  moves  the 
joint,  and  heat,  are  the  more  noticeable  symptoms.  If  the  sprain  be 
very  severe  the  animal  occasionally  does  not  bear  its  weight  on  tho 
limb.  Careful  bathing  with  eold  water,  followed  by  the  application  of 
extract  of  witch-hazel  or  tincture  of  arnica  and  careful  bandaging  should 


284  '  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

be  the  immediate  treatment.  If  the  lameness  has  not  disappeared  by 
the  fourth  day,  the  blister  advised  for  the  sprain  of  the  shoulder  should 
be  applied,  and  the  same  precautions  observed  as  to  tying  the  animal's 
head  and  subsequent  smearing  with  vaseline.  When  a  blister  is  applied 
in  this  locality  the  back  part  of  the  heel  should  be  first  filled  with  lard 
or  vaseline,  and  care  taken  to  prevent  any  of  the  blistering  preparation 
from  coming  in  contact  with  the  skin  of  that  part.  If  this  precaution 
is  not  observed  scratches  may  ensue  and  prove  troublesome. 

Sprain  of  the  hip. — This  is  likely  to  result  from  the  animal  slipping  in 
such  a  way  as  to  spread  the  hind  feet  wide  apart.  The  patient  goes 
stiff  with  the  hind  legs,  or  lame  with  one  hind  leg,  walking  with  a  strad- 
dling gait,  and  swinging  the  leg  outward  as  it  is  carried  forward.  Ten- 
derness may  occasionally  be  detected  on  pressure,  but  owing  to  the 
heavy  covering  of  muscles  outside  of  the  joint  this  test  is  not  always 
reliable.  During  the  early  stages  medical  treatment  is  not  likely  to  be 
of  much  service.  After  the  fourth  or  fifth  day  the  blister  mentioned  in 
"Sprain  of  the  Shoulder"  may  be  applied  with  advantage. 

Sprain  of  the  lack. — Sprain  of  the  back,  particularly  in  the  region  of 
the  loins,  is  not  an  uncommon  accident  among  cattle.  It  is  likely  to 
occur  from  the  animal  slipping  with  both  hind  feet  sideways  so  as  to 
twist  the  back ;  or  the  feet  slipping  violently  backward  so  that  great 
stress  is  thrown  on  the  loins.  The  patient  moves  with  difficulty,  using 
the  hind  parts  in  a  guarded  manner  as  if  afraid  of  causing  severe  pain. 
Occasionally  if  the  sprain  is  severe  the  animal  will  rise  with  difficulty. 
Pressure  on  the  back  in  the  immediate  region  of  the  loins  causes  pain. 
Such  cases  may  be  mistaken  for  paralysis,  and  in  fact  in  severe  cases 
although  the  nerve  supply  is  not  interfered  with,  the  injury  to  the  mus- 
cles and  resulting  pain  is  so  great  that  the  condition  is  almost  equal  to 
paralysis  during  the  early  stages  of  the  injury,  although  likely  to  be 
attended  with  more  favorable  results.  Hot  applications,  as  blankets 
wrung  out  of  hot  water  and  changed  at  short  intervals,  will  be  likely 
to  afford  relief  during  the  earlier  stages.  Afterwards  the  cantharides 
blister  mentioned  in  sprain  of  shoulder  may  be  applied  with  advantage. 

FRACTURES — BROKEN  BONES. 

Bones  may  be  accidentally  broken  in  many  ways  and  from  different 
causes.  Fractures  in  general  are  likely  to  be  produced  by  external 
force  suddenly  and  violently  applied,  either  directly  to  the  part  or  at  a 
distance,  the  force  being  transmitted  through  the  stronger  bones  until 
it  expends  itself  by  breaking  a  weaker  one  remote  from  the  seat  of  the 
injury.  Occasionally  violent  contraction  of  muscles  is  sufficient  to 
break  a  bone.  Certain  bones  are  more  liable  to  fracture  than  others, 
those  of  the  limbs  in  particular,  owing  to  their  exposed  position.  The 
bones  of  some  animals  are  more  easily  fractured  than  those  of  others, 
owing  to  certain  predisposing  causes,  such  as  age,  habit,  or  hereditary 
constitutional  weakness.  The  bones  of  an  animal  advanced  in  years 


BONES DISEASES    AND    ACCIDENTS.  285 

I 

are  more  subject  to  fracture  because  of  the  preponderance  of  inorganic 
matter  rendering  them  more  brittle.  They  are  also  occasionally  ren- 
dered liable  to  fracture  by  a  previously  existing  diseased  condition. 
Fractures  are  divided  into  four  classes :  Partial,  simple,  compound,  and 
comminuted. 

Partial  fractures  are  those  which  are  likely  to  occur  in  a  young 
animal  in  which  the  preponderance  of  animal  matter  or  the  semi-carti- 
laginous condition  of  the  bone  renders  it  tough,  so  that  considerable 
force  must  be  applied  before  fragments  of  the  bone  are  dissolved,  and 
even  then  the  bone  bends,  breaking  on  the  side  opposite  that  to  which 
the  force  was  applied,  after  the  manner  in  which  a  green  stick  would 
bend  and  break. 

Simple  fracture  is  one  in  which  the  bone  is  severed  in  two  parts, 
either  in  a  line  directly  through  the  bone,  or  obliquely,  without  serious 
injury  to  the  adjoining  structures. 

Compound  fracture  is  one  in  which  there  is  an  open  wound  communi- 
cating with  the  ends  of  the  broken  bones. 

Comminuted  fracture  is  one  in  which  the  bone  is  shattered  or  divided 
into  a  number  of  fragments. 

General  symptoms  of  fracture. — When  a  fracture  of  one  or  more  of  the 
large  bones  of  a  limb  occurs,  symptoms  are  sure  to  be  well  marked. 
After  the  accident  the  animal  refuses  to  touch  the  foot  to  the  ground, 
and  if  compelled  to  move  does  so  with  great  pain  and  reluctance.  There 
is  more  or  less  shortening  of  the  limb,  with  trembling  of  the  muscles  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  injury,  deformity,  and  increased  mobility,  so  that  in- 
stead of  the  natural  joints  of  the  limb  and  the  natural  muscular  con- 
trol of  their  motion  a  new  joint  is  formed  where  the  fracture  occurred, 
over  which  tlw  animal  has  no  control.  As  the  leg  hangs  dependent 
from  the  body,  shortened  by  the  ends  of  the  bones  being  forced  past  one 
another  from  the  muscular  contraction  which  invariably  takes  place,  it 
swings  in  an  awkward  and  unnatural  manner,  permitting  the  toe  and 
foot  to  assume  positions  in  their  relations  to  other  parts  of  the  body 
which  otherwise  would  be  impossible.  If  the  fractured  bone  is  so  situ- 
ated that  the  parts  may  be  moved  one  upon  another,  a  grating  sound, 
known  as  crepitus,  will  be  observed. 

General  treatment  of  fracture*. — When  a  fracture  occurs  the  advisa- 
bility of  attempting  treatment  must  first  be  determined.  If  the  animal 
be  young,  valuable,  and  of  reasonably  quiet  temperament,  and  the  frac- 
ture not  too  great  in  extent,  the  chances  of  recovery  are  fair.  On  the 
other  hand,  if  the  animal  should  be  of  little  value,  irritable,  advanced 
in  years,  and  the  fracture  a  serious  compound  or  comminuted  one,  the 
wiser  course  would  generally  be  to  put  the  creature  out  of  its  misery. 
Having  determined  to  attempt  treatment  no  time  should  bo  lost  in  re- 
storing the  parts  as  nearly  a«  possible  to  their  natural  position  and 
retaining  them  there.  If  the  ends  of  the  bones  have  been  drawn  past 
one  another,  they  should  by  tirm  and  continuous  tension  he  drawn  out 


286  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

4 

until  they  again  assume  the  position  in  which  they  were  before  the 
accident.  All  this  can  better  be  done  before  the  swelling — which  is 
sun- to  result — takes  place.  If  the  swelling  has  occurred  before  the 
injury  is  noticed  do  not  attempt  to  treat  it,  but  proceed  at  once  to  treat 
the  fracture  as  though  the  swelling  were  not  present,  for  no  step  can 
be  taken  toward  recovery  until  the  ends  of  the  bone  have  been  restored 
to  proper  position.  When  that  is  done  and  proper  appliances  have 
been  used  to  prevent  them  from  being  again  misplaced,  the  swelling, 
which  is  the  result  of  irritation,  will  be  relieved.  In  selecting  the  appli- 
ances to  be  used  in  the  treatment  of  fracture,  the  judgment  and  inge- 
nuity of  the  operator  are  of  much  importance.  Splints,  made  of  wood 
shaped  to  fit  the  limb,  and  padded  with  soft  material  where  they  come 
in  contact  with  bony  prominences,  and  held  in  position  by  means  of 
bandages,  are  the  oldest  method,  and  with  some  are  still  the  most 
popular.  The  fracture-pads  used  in  human  surgery,  and  for  sale  in 
surgical  depots,  are  very  convenient.  After  being  dipped  in  water 
they  may  be  molded  to  fit  the  limb  and  be  retained  by  means  of  ban- 
dages. Heavy  sole  leather  is  also  used  after  being  soaked  in  warm 
water  and  molded  to  the  shape  of  the  limb  and  holes  cut  in  it  to  fit 
over  any  sharp  irregularities  in  the  natural  shape  of  the  bones.  Gutta- 
percha  sheets  are  also  used  and  answer  well.  They  are  prepared  and 
used  in  the  same  way  as  the  leather. 

Another,  and  perhaps  the  simplest  of  all  methods,  is  the  application 
of  a  plaster  ol  Paris  bandage,  which  is  made  as  follows :  Strips  of  thin 
cheese-cloth,  3  inches  wide  and  8  or  9  feet  long,  are  laid  flat  on  a  board 
and  on  them  is  spread  a  layer  of  plaster  of  Paris  about  one-eighth  of  an 
inch  thick,  then  starting  at  one  end  rolling  carefully  so  as  to  gather  the 
plaster  in  between  the  layers  of  the  bandage.  It  is,  of  course,  impor- 
tant that  the  cloth  be  thin  and  the  plaster  of  Paris  fresh  and  active. 
After  preparing  four  or  five  of  such  bandages  the  operator  is  ready  to 
dress  the  fracture,  which,  after  the  parts  have  been  brought  into  posi- 
tion, should  be  done  by  covering  all  that  part  of  the  limb  to  which  the 
plaster  of  Paris  bandage  is  to  be  applied  with  a  single  layer  of  the  dry 
bandage,  letting  it  extend  both  above  and  below  the  part  to  which  the 
plaster  of  Paris  bandage  is  to  be  applied  and  including  under  the  folds 
of  the  dry  bandage  at  each  end  a  layer  of  absorbent  cotton,  which  is 
intended  to  form  a  pad  to  prevent  the  ends  of  the  plaster  of  Paris 
bandage  from  chafing  the  skin  beneath.  When  this  is  done  one  of  the 
plaster  of  Paris  bandages  should  be  placed  in  a  vessel  of  water  and 
allowed  to  remain  till  the  air-bubbles  have  ceased  to  arise  from  it,  which 
will  generally  indicate  that  it  is  soaked  through.  Then  taking  it  in  the 
hand  wind  it  carefully  around  and  around  the  limb,  unrolling  the  band- 
age as  it  is  wound  around  the  limb,  occasionally  smoothing  down  the 
plaster  of  Paris.  Should  it  form  roughly  or  in  ridges  the  hand  may  be 
dipped  in  water  to  impart  increased  moisture  while  doing  so.  When 
about  finished  with  one  bandage  place  another  one  in  the  "water  so  that 


BONES DISEASES    AND    ACCIDENTS.  287 

the  winding  operation  may  be  continued  without  delay.  The  bandages 
should  be.  applied  till  the  east  is  from  one-half  to  three-quarters  of  an 
inch  thick;  then  gently  restraining  the  animal  for  one-half  or  three- 
quarters  of  an  hour  till  the  plaster  is  hardened.  Any  of  the  appliances 
used  should  be  so  applied  as  to  absolutely  prevent  any  motion  of  tht 
detached  parts.  If  the  fracture  is  near  a  joint  it  is  generally  best  to 
include  the  joint  HI  the  appliance.  The  part  of  the  limb  below  the 
bandage  should  be  carefully  and  firmly  wrapped  with  an  ordinary  cot- 
ton bandage  all  the  way  from  the  plaster  bandage  down  to  the  hoof. 
This  last  bandage  will  tend  to  prevent  swelling,  which  is  likely  to  occur; 
tlu  result  of  the  dependent  position  in  which  the  animal  is  forced  by 
nature  to  keep  the  injured  limb.  When  plaster  of  Paris  bandages  are 
applied  to  a  compound  fracture  the  injured  part  may  be  previously 
.vith  a  small  thick  pad  of  cotton  immediately  over  the  wound. 
In  applying  the  bandage  the  operator  may  with  a  little  care  so  arrange 
it  as  to  keep  the  folds  of  the  bandages  off  the  cotton,  or  have  only  a 
tlii  u  layer  over  it,  which  may  be  easily  cut  out  and  the  cotton  removed, 
leaving  a  convenient  opening  through  which  to  dress  the  wound  with- 
out removing  the  bandage.  The  ends  of  the  bandage  or  other  appliance 
should  be  carefully  watched  to  see  that  the  skin  does  not  become 
chafed,  particularly  at  the  lower  end.  If  the  bandage  should  become 
weak  or  broken  at  any  part  it  may  be  strengthened  without  removal  by 
applying  other  bandages  immediately  over  it.  If  swelling  has  taken 
place  before  the  bandage  has  been  applied  there  is  likely  to  be  some 
loosening  as  it  disappears,  and  even  without  the  swelling  there  is  likely 
to  be  a  tendency  of  the  bandage  to  slide  downward.  This  may  be  over- 
come by  fastening  it  to  a  suspender  attached  to  a  surcingle  or  passed 
over  the  body  and  attached  to  the  opposite  leg.  If  the  looseness  can 
not  be  overcome  in  this  way  the  space  may  be  filled  .by  pouring  in 
a  thin  paste  of  plaster  of  Paris.  A  better  method,  however,  is  to 
remove  the  bandage  and  apply  another.  Owing  to  the  hardness  ot 
the  bandage  it  will  be  removed  with  som6  difficulty.  A  deep  groove 
should  be  cut  down  completely  through  it  on  the  opposite  sides.  This 
may  be  done  with  a  chisel  and  a  small  hammer,  if  the  bandage  is  care- 
fully held  by  an  assistant  so  that  the  concussion  of  the  blows  is  not 
transmitted  to  the  injured  bones.  The  patient  should  have  a  roomy 
stall  and  should  be  tied  by  the  head  to  prevent  any  attempts  to  move 
around.  In  sonic  cases  slings  have  been  used.  Ordinarily,  however, 
they  are  not  satisfactory  in  cattle  practice,  and  if  applied  should  only 
be  for  a  few  days  at  a  time  and  with  a  view  to  lessen  the  animal's  dis 
position  to  lie  down,  rather  than  to  prevent  it.  \Vheu  they  are  use* I 
continuously  the  pressure  on  the  abdomen  is  likely  to  interfere  with 
digestion  and  the  general  health  of  the  animal. 

Motif*  of  union. — The  animal  should  be  kept  as  quiet  as  ]M>ssible  and 
given  such  food  as  will  have  a  tendency  to  keep  the  bowels  slightly 
relaxed.  The  success  of  the  operation  will  depend  chiefly  on  the  skill 


288  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

of  the  operator,  but  not  alone  in  the  selecting  and  use  of  the  appliances; 
for  as  much  attention  must  be  given  to  subsequent  management.  The 
patients  are  unreasonable,  and  a  single  awkward  motion  may  undo  the 
work  of  weeks  so  far  as  the  union  of  the  parts  of  the  bone  is  concerned. 
It  takes  place  after  the  same  process  and,  if  the  conditions  are  favor- 
able, with  greater  rapidity  than  in  the  human  being.  The  injury  that 
caused  the  fracture  is  almost  sure  to  have  extended  to  some  of  the 
adjacent  tissues,  and  even  though  the  fracture  may  be  of  the  simplest 
type  there  is  almost  sure  to  be  considerable  hemorrhage  around  the 
ends  of  the  broken  bone.  This,  however,  is  unimportant  if  the  skin 
remains  intact,  unless  a  very  large  vessel  should  be  injured,  or  the 
fracture  should  open  some  of  the  important  cavities  of  the  body,  in 
which  case  a  fatal  hemorrhage  might  result.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
fracture  be  a  compound  one,  the  external  opening  furnishes  a  fertile  field 
for  the  lodgment  of  disease-producing  germs.  Unless  great  care  is  exer- 
cised in  such  cases  a  suppurative  process  is  likely  to  be  established 
which  will  seriously  interfere  with  if  not  entirely  arrest  the  process  of 
union  between  the  bones;  or  it  may  become  so  serious  as  to  endanger 
the  general  health  of  the  animal  and  even  be  attended  with  fatal 
results.  This  last  danger  is  greater  where  the  injury  has  occurred  to 
the  bones  of  the  arm  or  thigh.  In  such  cases,  owing  to  the  dense  cov- 
ering of  fascia  which  ensheathes  the  muscular  coATering,  pus  is  likely 
to  be  imprisoned,  and  burrowing  downward  saturate  the  whole  struc- 
ture, not  only  endangering  the  limb,  but,  being  likely  to  be  reabsorbed,' 
may  set  up  blood-poisoning  and  seriously  interfere  with  the  general 
health  of  the  patient,  even  to  causing  death.  In  order  as  far  as  possi- 
ble to  prevent  such  an  unfortunate  complication  the  wound  should  be 
carefully  cleansed  with  a  mild  solution  of  carbolic  acid,  then  dusted 
over  with  iodoform  before  the  bandages  are  applied,  and  cleansed  and 
dressed  daily  in  the  same  way.  After  dressing  always  cover  with 
absorbent  cotton.  In  the  early  process  of  union  an  exudation  of  lymph 
takes  place,  which  is  at  first  fluid,  gradually  becoming  thicker  and 
firmer  tilUt  forms  a,  callus  in  the  shape  of  a  ring  or  ferrule  surround- 
ing the  detached  portions  of  the  bone,  known  as  the  external  or 
en  sheathing  callus.  It  occasionally  happens  that  this  callus  only  forms 
at  the  ends  of  the  bones,  filling  the  spaces  that  exist  between  them, 
when  it  is  known  as  the  intermediate  callus.  The  process  of  union 
may  be  divided  into  five  stages:  In  the  first  stage,  including  the  first 
eight  days,  the  detached  portions  of  the  bone  and  the  sharp  projections 
that  are  not  sufficiently  nourished  are  absorbed;  the  blood  which 
escaped  into  the  surrounding  tissues,  the  result  of  the  injury,  is  grad- 
ually absorbed  and  the  effused  lymph  which  is  ultimately  to  constitute 
the  temporary  cartilage  takes  its  place.  In  the  second  stage,  from  the 
tenth  to  the  twentieth  day,  the  tumor  or  callus  is  formed  and  fibro- 
cartilage  is  developed  inside  and  around  the  exposed  end  of  the  bone. 
In  the  third  stage,  extending  from  the  twentieth  to  the  fortieth  or  tif- 


BONES DISEASES   AND   ACCIDENTS.  289 

tietii  day,  according  to  age  and  strength  of  the  animal,  the  fibre-car- 
tilaginous structure  undergoes  a  change  and  is  gradually  converted 
into  bone,  forming  a  ferule  on  the  outside  and  a  plug  on  the  inside, 
which  serve  to  hold  the  part  in  position.  In  the  fourth  stage,  extend- 
ing to  about  the  sixth  month,  the  whole  of  the  new  structure  is  con- 
verted into  bone.  The  fifth  stage,  extending  up  to  the  end  of  the  first 
yrur,  the  callus  is  absorbed,  being  no  longer  necessary,  and  the  connec- 
tion between  the  cavities  of  the  two  bones  is  again  established. 

Common  complications. — The  process  of  union  just  described  is  healthy 
and  normal.  Diseased  conditions  may  at  any  time  supervene  during 
the  treatment  and  render  the  operation  unsuccessful.  In  the  case  of 
compound  fracture,  the  open  wound  communicating  with  the  ends  of 
the  bones,  a  septic  condition  is  apt  to  arise  which  may  become  so  seri- 
ous as  to  endanger  the  animal's  life  and  bring  about  conditions  which 
in  human  surgery  would  indicate  amputation.  Although  that  opera- 
tion is  not  a  general  one  in  veterinary  practice,  there  is  no  reason  why 
it  should  not  be  attempted  as  a  last  resort,  particularly  if  the  animal 
be  valuable,  or  one  whose  existence  is  necessary  in  order  to  perpetuate 
some  valuable  strain.  Even  in  the  simplest  form  of  fracture,  if  the 
splints  or  bandages  are  improperly  applied  and  the  fractured  bone  left 
so  loosely  guarded  that  the  broken  ends  move  one  upon  another,  the 
formation  of  the  calluses  previously  described  is  likely  to  be  interfered 
with,  and  in  place  of  a  strong,  rigid,  and  healthy  union  a  formation  of 
elastic  cartilage  is  the  result.  This  false  structure  unites  the  broken 
ends  of  the  bones  in  such  a  way  that  they  move  one  upon  another, 
depriving  the  bone  of  its  stability  and  usefulness.  When  once  the 
healthy  process  of  union  is^jnterrupted  in  the  manner  just  described,  it 
is  with  great  difficulty  that  it  can  be  again  established.  It  no  longer 
does  any  good  to  continue  the  restraining  power;  in  fact,  the  change 
of  the  temporary  cartilage  into  bone  is  more  likely  to  be  reestablished 
if  the  parts  move  violently  upon  one  another  for  a  short  time  so  as  to 
set  up  and  renew  the  process  of  inflammation.  Then  if  the  restraint 
be  again  applied  there  is  some  chance  of  union.  In  order  as  far  as 
jMjssible  to  avoid  this  danger,  care  should  be  exercised  that  the  band 
age  fits  closely  and  that  it  is  kept  on  till  there  is  no  longer  any  danger 
but  that  a  perfect  union  has  taken  place.  It  is  impossible  to  say  at 
just  what  time  the  splints  or  bandages  can  safely  be  removed.  In  a 
young  and  healthy  animal  of  quiet  temperament,  where  the  parts  have 
been  firmly  held  in  position  throughout  the  whole  time,  from  thirty  to 
forty  days  may  be  regarded  as  reasonably  safe.  Under  more  unfavor- 
able conditions  as  to  ago,  vitality,  and  restraint,  the  period  had  bettor 
be  extended  up  to  sixty  clays  if  the  general  condition  of  the  animal  is 
such  as  to  permit  of  so  long  a  continuance.  After  the  appliance  has 
been  removed  the  animal  should  be  allowed  to  stand  quiet  for  a  few 
days,  then  given  very  gentle  exorcise,  gradually  increased  over  a  period 
of  a  week  or  ten  days,  by  which  time  the  patient  will  be  so  far  recovered 
24697 19 


290  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

as  to  be  placed  in  pasture.  It  should,  however,  be  alone  for  a  time,  so 
as  not  to  take  any  chance  of  injury  from  fighting  or  other  accidents 
that  associations  with  other  animals  might  involve. 

Special  fractures. — Of  the  special  fractures  liable  to  occur  that  of  the 
horn  is  perhaps  the  most  common.  It  is  always  the  result  of  violent 
mechanical  means,  such  as  blows,  injury  occurring  while  fighting,  or 
from  the  animal  getting  its  head  locked  in  some  manner  while  feeding 
from  a  rack.  '  When  it  occurs  there  are  two  ways  in  which  the  injury 
is  likely  to  affect  the  animal.  First  and  most  common,  the  horny  crust 
is  likely  to  be  stripped  from  the  bony  projection  which  it  covers.  Sec- 
ond, the  crust  and  bone  may  both  be  broken  or  bent  down,  the  fracture 
occurring  in  that  case  at  the  root  of  the  horn  and  involving  part  of  the 
bones  of  the  head  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  In  the  first  case,  where 
the  horny  covering  is  knocked  off,  little  attention  is  necessary.  The 
animal  may  be  relieved  from  suffering  by  smearing  the  stump  with  pine 
tar  and  wrapping  it  in  cloth.  If  the  core  is  much  lacerated  perhaps  it 
would  be  better  to  amputate.  The  necessity  for  such  an  operation  must 
be  determined  by  the  condition  of  the  injury,  influenced  to  some  exteiffc 
by  the  ideas  of  the  owner  on  the  subject.  When  the  operation  is  per- 
formed it  should  be  done  with  a  sharp,  fine-toothed  saw,  and  by  sawing 
the  horn  off  close  enough  to  include  a  little  of  the  skin  and  hair  around 
its  base.  The  practice  of  dehorning  has  grown  popular  in  many  parts 
of  the  country.  It  is  a  simple  operation,  and,  although  attended  with 
considerable  immediate  suffering,  does  not  produce  serious  constitu- 
tional disturbance.  The  advisability  of  performing  the  operation  on 
all  cattle  is  a  question  of  expediency  and  must  be  justified  by  the  ex- 
pectation of  benefit  on  the  part  of  the  feeder.  If  the  horn  should  be 
broken  so  that  the  core  and  crust  are  bent  out  of  shape  without  the 
detachment  of  one  from  the  other,  it  may  be  restored  to  its  normal 
position  and  retained  there  by  means  of  a  splint  made  to  fit  across  the 
back  of  the  head,  so  as  to  be  laced  to  both  horns,  the  sound  horn  serv- 
ing to  hold  the  broken  one  in  position.  Such  a  splint  may  be  fastened 
on  by  means  of  either  wire  or  cord  and  allowed  to  remain  six  weeks  or 
two  months. 

Fractures  of  the  bones  of  the  face. — These  occasionally  occur,  and  when 
over  the  cavities  of  the  nose  produce  depression,  disfigurement,  and 
impeded  respiration,  owing  to  the  lessening  of  the  caliber  of  the  nasal 
passages.  When  such  an  accident  occurs  the  depressed  bone  should  be 
gently  forced  back  to  place  by  introducing  the  finger  in  the  nostril,  or 
if  the  fracture  be  too  far  up  for  this,  a  probe  may  be  passed  and  the 
parts  retained  by  placing  a  plaster  of  thin  leather  or  strong  canvas 
smeared  with  tar  immediately  over  it,  extending  out  to  the  sound  sur- 
roundings, taking  care  to  imbed  the  hair  over  the  fractured  portion  in 
the  tar  of  the  plaster  so  it  will  be  firmly  held  and  prevented  from  again 
becoming  depressed.  If  only  one  nostril  should  be  involved  the 
depressed  portion  may  be  held  in  position  by  packing  the  nostril  on 


BONES — DISEASES   AND   ACCIDENTS.  291 

that  side  with  absorbent  cotton.  This  practice,  however,  has  the 
objection  of  giving  the  animal  great  discomfort,  and  in  some  cases  a 
disposition  to  aggravate  the  injury. 

Fracture  of  the  skull  or  cranium. — Fractures  of  the  bones  forming  the 
cavity  in  which  the  brain  is  situated  are,  owing  to  their  strength,  com- 
paratively rare  among  cattle.  Such  an  accident  can  only  be  the  result 
of  external  violence,  and  it  is  hardly  possible  that  it  could  occur  with- 
out some  fragment  of  the  broken  Ixme  pressing  upon  the  brain  so  as  to 
cause  coma,  other  severe  nervous  derangement,  or  even  death.  If  the 
animal  survives  the  first  shock  the  efforts  should  be  directed  toward 
relieving  the  pressure,  which  may  be  done  by  making  an  opening  in  the 
bone  (trephining)  and  with  a  hook  drawing  the  depressed  part  out- 
ward. Interference  is  not  so  likely  to  be  attended  with  good  results  as 
to  be  warranted  in  all  cases.  The  eifects  of  a  very  severe  shock  which 
may  not  have  produced  a  fracture,  although  the  symptoms  were  alarm- 
ing, will  in  many  cases  pass  off,  leaving  the  animal  in  a  better  condition 
than  if  an  operation  had  been  performed. 

Fracture  of  the  loicer  jaic. — This  occasionally  occurs,  and  is  more 
likely  to  result  from  the  kick  of  a  horse  than  from  any  other  cause. 
The  front  part  of  the  jaw  is  likely  to  be  split  or  shattered  in  any  direc- 
tion in  which  the  force  may  have  been  applied.  Bloody  discharges 
from  the  mouth  and  failure  to  eat  or  ruminate  are  symptoms  most 
likely  to  attract  attention.  The  treatment  is  simple,  and  consists  of 
first  removing  detached  pieces  of  bone,  then  drawing  the  parts  together 
and  retaining  them  by  means  of  pieces  of  copper  wire  fastened  around 
the  teeth,  and  feeding  the  animal  on  sloppy  food  until  recovery  takes 
place.  The  wound  should  be  dressed  once  or  twice  a  day  with  a  3  per 
cent  solution  of  carbolic  acid,  forced  gently  in  with  a  syringe  so  as  to 
remove  any  food  which  may  have  become  impacted  and  interfere  with 
the  healing  process. 

Fracture  of  the  vertebra:  or  spinal  column. — This  is  not  so  common 
among  cattle  as  other  animals.  If  the  fracture  should  be  through  the 
body  of  the  bone  there  is  likely  to  bo  pressure  on  or  laceration  of  the 
spinal  cord,  causing  paralysis  of  all  parts  posterior  to  the  seat  of  injury. 
Fractures  of  the  prominences  on  the  vertebra)  occasionally  occur  with- 
out interfering  with  the  canal  in  which  the  spinal  cord  is  located. 
Such  accidents  are  likely  .to  pass  unnoticed,  for  although  the  animal 
may  suffer  considerable  pain,  it  is  not  likely  to  l>e  manifested  in  such  i\ 
way  as  to  attract  attention,  and  the  deep  covering  of  muscles  serves  to 
effectually  conceal  the  injury.  When  the  fracture  occurs  in  the  upper 
part  of  the  neck,  paralysis  of  the  muscle*  used  in  respiration  must 
result,  and  death  from  asphyxia  very  shortly  ensues.  The  more  com 
inon  accident  is  to  the  loins,  and  when  a  fracture  of  the  b«dy  of  the 
vertvbrsc  occurs  in  this  region  HO  as  to  produce  pressure  on  the  spinal 
cord,  paralysis  of  the  hind  legs  and  quarters  is  the  result.  Diagnosis 
of  such  an  accident  is  more  diflicult  than  in  the  case  of  any  other  frac 


292  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ture.  The  parts  can  not  be  moved  one  upon  another  so  that  crepitus 
is  noticeable.  The  heavy  coating  of  muscles  conceals  irregularities  of 
shape,  which  would  otherwise  be  likely  to  attract  attention.  About 
the  only  reliable  symptom  is  paralysis  or  loss  of  use  and  sensation  of 
the  parts  posterior  to  the  injury ;  careful  examination  may  reveal  the 
seat  of  the  injury.  If  it  was  the  result  of  a  blow  there  is  likely  to  be 
some  abrasion  of  the  skin.  The  diagnosis  is  only  important  as  an  aid 
in  determining  the  proper  course  to  pursue.  If.  paralysis  is  present 
and  a  depression  or  irregularity  of  the  spinal-column  is  so  apparent  as 
to  leave  no  doubt  of  the  existence  of  a  fracture,  the  only  alternative  is 
to  destroy  the  animal,  for  of  recovery  there  can  be  no  hope.  If,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  paralysis  is  incomplete,  and  there  is  no  depression  or 
irregularity  of  the  spinal  column  or  other  evidence  of  fracture,  the 
patient  should  be  made  as  comfortable  as  possible  by  being  placed  in  a 
well-bedded  box  stall  and  a  few  days  permitted  to  elapse  before  the 
case  is  abandoned.  The  symptoms  last  described  might  possibly  be 
the  result  of  a  severe  strain  of  the  muscles  of  the  loins,  in  which  case 
an  improvement  will  soon  be  noticeable. 

Fractures  of  the  pelvis. — The  pelvis  or  bony  framework  which  gives 
shape  to  the  posterior  part  of  the  body  is  liable  to  fracture  in  many 
ways.  A  common  one  is  by  a  separation  of  the  two  bones  which  con- 
stitute the  whole  pelvis  along  the  bottom  and  center  line  (sympliysis 
pubis).  In  early  life  the  two  bones  are  separate  and  distinct.  The 
union  between  them  which  is  at  first  cartilaginous  undergoes  a  change 
and  is  converted  into  bone;  so  that  in  adult  life  the  whole  pelvis  is 
practically  one  bone.  The  point  on  which  the  two  bones  are  united  is 
weaker  than  the  adjoining  parts  of  the  bone.  When  an  animal  slips 
violently,  spreading  the  legs  wide  apart,  the  weaker  materials  give  way 
and  the  bones  are  divided.  If  the  accident  is  noticed  when  it  occurs  it 
is  likely  to  throw  light  on  the  nature  of  the  injury.  The  animal  will 
be  immediately  noticed  going  stiff  behind,  the  legs  being  spread  apart. 
Further  examination  maybe  made  by  introducing  the  hand, previously 
carefully  oiled,  into  the  rectum  or  vagina  and  pressing  down  along  the 
central  line,  which  will  cause  the  patient  to  evince  acute  pain.  In  this 
case  no  appliance  can  be  used  to  advantage.  The  animal  should  be  tied 
in  a  stall  until  the  parts  become  reunited  and  the  lameness  disappears. 

Fracture  of  the  posterior  part  of  the  bone  (ischium)  which  forms  the 
point  of  the  buttocks  occasionally  occurs.  The  buttock  on  the  injured 
side  will  be  less  prominent  than  the  other.  Careful  manipulation  will 
generally  move  the  parts  so  that  crepitus  may  be  recognized.  If  the 
fracture  is  through  the  posterior  part  of  the  bone  it  is  unimportant  and 
deserving  of  no  more  attention  than  placing  the  animal  in  such  a  posi- 
tion as  to  insure  it  against  subsequent  injury  until  the  bones  are  united. 
Some  distortion  is  likely  to  result,  but  not  sufficient  to  warrant  inter- 
ference. 

Fracture  through  the  body  of  the  bone  on  a  line  with  the  hip  joint 


BONES DISEASES    AND    ACCIDENTS.  29*3 

(acetabulum)  occasionally  though  rarely  occurs,  and  is  nearly  always 
associated  with  dislocation  of  the  hip  joint  and  the  forcing  of  the  head 
of  the  upper  bone  of  the  leg  (femur)  upward,  far  out  of  its  place.  The 
violent  contraction  of  powerful  muscles  of  the  hip  renders  it  impossible 
to  reduce  the  dislocation,  and  even  if  it  were  possible  the  fractured  pel- 
vis could  not  be  held  in  position,  so  that  the  case  becomes  at  once  a 
hopeless  one.  It  may  be  recognized  by  the  animal  standing  on  three 
legs,  the  leg  on  the  injured  side  seeming  shorter  than  its  fellow  and 
hanging  pendulous,  the  muscles  of  the  hip  violently  contracted  and 
hard  to  the  touch.  The  animal  evinces  great  pain  when  the  limb  is 
moved.  There  is  likely  to  be  some  apparent  distortion  in  the  relations 
between  the  point  of  the  hip  and  the  point  of  the  buttock.  This  will  be 
more  readily  noticed  by  comparing  the  injured  side  with  the  other.  The 
parts  may  be  moved  so  as  to  produce  crepitus.  The  examination  may 
be  completed  by  introducing  the  oiled  hand  into  the  vagina  or  rectum 
when  the  two  sides  of  the  pelvis  will  reveal  well  marked  differences. 

Fracture  of  the  point  of  the  hip. — The  anterior  and  external  part  of 
the  pelvis  (ilium),  commonly  known  as  the  point  of  the  hip,  is  liable  to 
fracture  which  stock  owners  describe  as  "  hipping,"  or  being  "  hipped." 
This  accident  is  likely  to  be  the  result  of  crowding  while  passing 
through  a  narrow  door,  of  falling  violently  on  the  point  of  the  hip,  or 
from  a  violent  blow  directed  downward  and  forward  against  it.  The 
lesion  generally  extends  across  the  flat  surface  of  the  bone  from  its 
outer  and  posterior  edge  forward  and  inward.  Distortion  is  likely  to 
be  the  only  noticeable  symptom.  The  detached  portion  varies  in  size 
in  different  cases  and  with  it  the  resulting  deformity.  The  animal  is 
noticed  to  be  slightly  lame,  but  this  symptom  soon  disappears.  The 
•  let  ached  portion  of  the  bone  is  drawn  downward  and  away  from  the 
main  part  by  the  action  of  the  muscles  below,  which  are  so  powerful  as 
to  render  return  impossible.  Bony  union  between  the  two  parts  does 
not  again  take  place,  but  a  cartilaginous  hinge,  previously  described  as 
a  false  joint,  supplies  the  deficiency.  The  animal  suffers  very  little 
inconvenience,  and  for  practical  use  may  be  serviceable  as  before  the 
accident,  though  the  distorted  appearance  depreciates  its  value. 

Fracture  of  the  rib*. — Such  an  occurrence  can  take  place  only  as  the 
result  of  a  direct  injury,  as  from  blows  or  crowding.  The  posterior 
ribs,  being  more  exposed,  are  more  liable  to  fracture.  Pain  in  moving, 
slight  swelling  over  the  seat  of  injury,  and  diflicult  breathing  are  obvi- 
ous symptoms.  If  the  fracture  be  complete,  crepitation  may  be  occa- 
sionally noticed  by  placing  the  hand  flat  over  the  injured  part,  observ- 
ing carefully  the  motion  as  the  chest  contracts  and  expands  during 
respiration.  This  symptom  is  more  noticeable  when  the  animal  coughs. 
Unless  the  point  of  the  broken  bone  penetrates  the  cavity  of  the  chest 
the  fracture  is  usually  unimportant  and  calls  for  no  treatment  other 
than  quiet.  If  the  breathing  is  very  labored  and  attended  with  much 
pain,  motion  may  be  limited  by  applying  a  wide  bandage  firmly  around 


294  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  chest.  The  animal  should  be  restricted  in  the  amount  of  food  and 
water  for  a  few  days,  the  stomach  being  kept  as  nearly  empty  as  possi- 
ble. Sloppy  food  should  be  given  to  encourage,  as  much  as  possible, 
free  action  of  the  diaphragm  in  breathing. 

Fractures  of  bones  of  the  limbs. — On  this  subject  much  has  been  said 
in  the  preceding  remarks  on  general  fractures.  As  a  rule  fracture 
through  one  of  the  large  bones  of  the  shoulder  (scapula)  or  thigh  (femur) 
is  very  difficult  to  manage.  The  powerful  contraction  of  the  muscles 
and  the  changing  shape  of  the  limb  resulting  from  their  action  renders 
it  impossible  to  retain  the  detached  parts  of  the  bone  in  proper  position. 
Therefore,  though  the  union  should  take  place,  there  is  almost  sure  to 
be  considerable  deformity  and  more  or  less  lameness.  Fracture  of  the 
arm  (humerus)  or  leg  (tibia)  is  likely  to  be  attended  with  better  results. 
The  muscular  covering  is  not  so  thick,  the  sheath  in  which  they  are 
held  is  more  tense,  and  the  change  in  the  shape  of  the  limb  from  mus- 
cular action  not  so  noticeable,  the  muscular  force  not  so  great,  all  of 
which  facilitate  replacing  in  position  the  dislodged  ends  and  retaining 
them. 

Fracture  of  the  knee  (carpus]  and  hock  (tarsus). — Unless  it  is  the 
result  of  a  very  violent  injury  this  seldom  occurs,  and  is  generally  asso- 
ciated with  other  injury  and  serious  complications.  Displacement  does 
not  generally  occur  to  any  considerable  extent.  The  treatment,  of. 
course,  will  consist  in  holding  the  limb  perfectly  quiet  in  a  natural 
position,  which  may  be  done  by  the  application  of  long  wooden  splints 
retained  by  bandages,  or  a  plaster  of  Paris  bandage. 

Fractures  bcloiv  tlie  knee. — Fracture  of  the  long  bone  below  the  knee 
(metacarpus)  and  hock  (metatarsus)  is  more  common.  In  young  animals 
of  quiet  temperament  the  treatment  of  simple  fractures  here  is  likely  to 
be  attended  with  good  results.  On  the  other  hand  a  compound  fracture 
in  this  region  becomes  a  serious  matter.  The  structures  which  surround 
the  bones  are  so  thin  that  a  very  small  degree  of  sloughing  will  expose 
parts  of  the  bones  and  be  likely  to  lead  to  serious  complications  and 
probably  fatal  results. 

Fractures  of  bones  beloic  the  fetlock. — These  fractures  are  compara- 
tively unimportant  unless  associated  with  other  serious  injury.  The 
parts  can  generally  be  held  in  position  without  much  difficulty,  and 
union  generally  takes  place  quite  rapidly. 

Appliances. — Of  the  appliances  used  in  the  treatment  of  the  fracture 
of  limbs  above  the  knee,  splints  made  of  wood  or  strong  leather  and 
bandages  are  likely  to  serve  best/  Below  the  knee  plaster  of  Paris 
bandages  are  preferable.  The  writer  is  well  aware  that  many  of  the 
standard  authors  deprecate  the  use  of  the  latter,  but  an  extensive  expe- 
rience leads  me  to  believe  that  they  have  many  advantages  over  any  of 
the  other  appliances  when  used  alone,  and  they  may  in  many  ways  be 
used  with  advantage  in  combination  with  others. 


BONES DISEASES   AND    ACCIDENTS.  295 

Dislocations. — Luxation  or  displacement  of  the  bones  forming  a  joint, 
without  fracture,  is  comparatively  rare  among  cattle.  It  most  frequently 
occurs  in  the  stifle  joint,  where  dislocation  of  the  knee-pan  (patella) 
takes  place.  A  glance  at  the  skeleton  (Plate  xxv)  will  show  the  rela- 
tions better  than  they  can  be  described.  It  will  be  observed  that  the 
small  irregularly  shaped  bone  (patella)  plays  on  the  anterior  rounded 
part  of  the  lower  end  of  the  hip  bone  (femur)  and  between  it  and  the 
upper  end  of  the  thigh  bone  (tibia).  The  outer  ridge  on  the  lower  end 
of  the  thigh  bone  is  less  prominent  than  the  inner  one,  so  that  displace- 
ment, when  it  does  take  place,  is  by  slipping  outward.  Such  an  acci- 
dent may  occur  from  direct  injury  or  external  force,  as  a  blow,  or  from 
slipping.  When  it  does  occur  the  symptoms  produced  are  somewhat 
alarming.  The  animal  is  unable  to  draw  the  leg  forward,  and  either 
stands  with  it  thrown  back  with  the  toe  pointing  downward,  or,  if  it 
should  succeed  in  getting  its  weight  upon  it,  holds  it  firmly  on  the  ground, 
fearing  to  move  it.  Examination  of  the  outside  of  the  joint  will  dis- 
close the  situation  of  the  patella  outside  of  its  proper  place.  If  the 
operator  is  not  familiar  with  the  normal  appearance  of  the  joint  it  is 
well  to  make  a  comparison  between  the  injured  and  the  sound  one.  If 
compelled  to  move  the  animal  does  so  with  great  difficulty,  jerking  the 
leg  which  it  is  unable  to  bring  forward,  hopping  with  the  other  and  par- 
tially dragging  the  injured  one.  The  treatment  is  simple.  A  rope 
should  be  applied  around  the  fetlock,  the  leg  drawn  forcibly  forward  by 
an  assistant,  while  the  operator  carefully  manipulates  the  dislocated 
bone,  shoving  it  inward  and  forward  as  the  leg  is  brought  forward.  If 
successful  it  slips  into  its  place  with  a  sharp  click  and  the  animal  steps 
oft'  as  though  nothing  had  happened.  Unless  some  precaution  is  taken 
the  accident  is  liable  to  recur,  as  the  ligaments  have  been  stretched  by 
the  dislocation  till  they  no  longer  hold  the  bone  with  that  firmness 
messary  to  r.-tain  it.  Tii;-  aMin-al  >ii<»ulfl  !»,•  tied  Bud  iln-  !'.>•.•;  fastened 
forward,  so  that  the  animal  can  just  stand  on  it  comfortably,  by  means 
of  a  rope  or  strap  around  the  fetlock,  carried  forward  between  the  front 
legs  around  the  neck  and  tied  on  the  breast.  Should  this  accident 
occur  more  than  once  it  is  a  good  practice  to  apply  a  blister  around  the 
joint,  as  in  the  formula  recommended  in  sprain  of  shoulder,  and  observe 
the  precautions  as  to  restraint  and  subsequent  treatment  there  recom- 
mended. With  this  one  exception  dislocations  in  the  ox  occurring  inde- 
pendently of  other  complications  are  rare.  Dislocation  with  fracture 
may  occur  in  any  of  the  joints,  and  where  one  is  suspected  or  discov- 
ered, lx>fore  treatment  is  applied,  examination  should  always  IK«  made 
for  the  other.  When  a  fracture  occurs  in  the  vicinity  of  a  joint  the 
force  sufficient  to  rend  the  bone  is  likely  to  be  partly  exerted  on  the 
immediate  tissues,  and  when  the  bono  gives  way  the  structures  of  the 
joints  are  likely  to  be  seriously  injn red.  It  occasionallyhappenstlr.it 
the  injury  to  the  joint  becomes  the  most  important  complication  in  the 


296  DISEASES    OP    CATTLE. 

treatment  of  a  fracture.  In  order  to  clearly  understand  the  reason  for 
this  a  few  words  are  necessary  in  relation  to  the  structure  of  joints. 

The  different  pieces  constituting  the  skeleton  of  the  animal  body  are 
united  in  such  a  manner  as  to  admit  of  more  or  less  motion  one  upon 
another.  In  some  of  the  more  simple  joints  the  bones  fitting  one  into 
another  are  held  together  by  the  dense  structures  around  them,  admit- 
ting of  very  little  or  no  movement  at  all,  as  the  bones  of  the  head.  In 
other  joints  the  bones  are  bound  together  by  dense  cartilaginous  struc- 
tures, admitting  of  only  limited  motion,  such  as  the  union  of  the  small 
bones  at  the  back  part  of  the  knee  and  hock  (metaearpal  and  metatar- 
sal).  In  the  more  perfect  form  of  joint,  the  power  of  motion  becomes 
complete  and  the  structures  are  more  complex.  The  substance  of  the 
bone  on  its  articular  surface  is  not  covered  with  periosteum,  but  is 
sheathed  in  a  dense  thin  layer  of  cartilage,  shaped  to  fit  the  other  sur- 
faces with  which  it  conies  in  contact  (articular).  This  layer  is  thickest 
towards  its  center  when  covering  bony  eminences,  and  is  elastic,  of  a 
pearly  whiteness  and  resisting,  though  soft  enough  to  be  easily  cut. 
The  bones  forming  an  articulation  are  bound  together  by  numerous 
ligaments  attached  to  bony  prominences.  The  whole  joint  is  sealed  in 
by  a  band  or  ribbon-like  ligament  (capsular  ligament)  extending  around 
the  joint  and  attached  at  the  outer  edge  of  the  articular  surface,  unit- 
ing the  bones  and  hermetically  sealing  the  cavities  of  the  articulation. 
This  structure  and  the  articular  surface  of  the  bone  is  covered  by  a 
thin,  delicate  membrane,  known  as  the  synovia!  membrane,  which 
secretes  the.  joint-oil  (synovia).  This  fluid  is  viscid  and  colorless,  or 
slightly  yellow,  and  although  it  does  not  possess  a  large  amount  of  fat, 
its  character  somewhat  resembles  oil,  and  it  serves  the  same  purpose  in 
lubricating  the  joints  that  oil  does  to  the  joints  of  an  engine.  Although 
the  tissues  of  the  joint  when  used  in  a  natural  way  are  able  to  withstand 
the  effect  of  great  exertion,  when  unnaturally  used,  as  they  are  very 
delicate  and  complex,  they  are  liable  to  inflammatory  and  other  changes 
of  a  very  serious  nature.  The  synovial  membrane,  and  in  fact  the 
whole  structure  of  the  joint,  is  susceptible  to  injury  and  serious  inflam- 
matory derangement,  and  the  capsular  ligament  is  liable  to  be  distended 
from  excessive  secretion  of  synovia.  The  latter  process  may  be  almost 
noninflammatory,  and  attended  with  little  inconvenience  or  importance 
other  than  a  blemish  to  the  animal,  which  in  cattle  is  not  serious.  It 
may  occur  on  the  back  part  of  the  leg  above  the  fetlock  or  on  the  inner 
and  fore  part  of  the  hock,  corresponding  in  its  location  to  windgalls  and 
bog  spavin  of  the  horse.  Continuous  support  by  bandages  will  gen- 
erally force  reabsorption,  and  as  the  limb  is  not  subjected  to  violent 
action,  as  in  the  case  of  the  horse,  the  affection  is  not  so  liable  to  recur. 

Spavin. — Occasionally  working  oxen  that  are  used  in  the  lumber 
woods  and  made  to  pull  heavily,  with  bad  footing,  are  afflicted  with 
this.  When  it  occurs  lameness  is  the  first  symptom.  During  the  early 
stages  of  the  disease  the  lameness  is  most  severe  in  the  morning  and 


BONES DISEASES   AND    ACCIDENTS.  297 

disappears  after  the  animal  is  exercised;  it  gradually  becomes  more 
severe  as  the  disease  advances,  so  that  when  the  disease  is  well  estab- 
lished the  animal  is  lame  continuously.  Shortly  after  the  lameness 
appears  a  bunch  (exostosis)  will  be  noticed  on  the  inner  and  fore  part 
of  the  affected  joint.  This  bunch  differs  from  bog  spavin  in  that  it  is 
hard,  while  bog  spavin  is  soft.  It  increases  in  size  as  the  disease 
advances,  till  the  animal  is  too  lame  to  be  used  for  labor.  As  the  dis- 
ease is  always  attended  with  considerable  pain  there  is  more  or  less  loss 
of  flesh.  In  the  most  advanced  stage  the  animal  will  step  with  diffi- 
culty, frequently  holding  the  foot  from  the  ground,  or  if  forced  to  take  a 
few  steps,  stands  with  it  elevated,  twitching  with  pain.  In  the  earlier 
stage  of  the  disease  only  a  small  portion  of  the  fore  part  of  the  lower  or 
second  articulation  is  involved,  but  the  inflammatory  process  gradually 
extends  over  the  whole  surface  of  the  lower  joints  of  the  hock.  The 
structures  of  the  joint  are  broken  down  and  the  bones  are  united  (anchy- 
losis). This  process  may  include  any  or  all  of  the  three  lower  joints  of 
the  hock.  The  joint  of  motion  which  is  situated  on  the  lower  end  of 
the  leg  bone  is  seldom  involved.  Treatment  of  spavin  in  the  ox,  as  in 
the  horse,  is  likely  to  be  tedious,  and  not  always  resulting  in  perfect 
cure.  Usually  it  is  best  to  fatten  the  animal  for  slaughter.  If,  how- 
ever, treatment  is  decided  UIXHI,  it  would  be  by  the  application  of  the 
following  blister: 

Powdered  cautharides 3     drams. 

Riuiodido  of  mercury * 2     drains. 

Vaseline 1  i  ounces. 

Clip  the  hair  off  and  apply  over  the  inner  and  foro  part  of  the  joint, 
covering  the  surface  an  inch  and  a  half  in  every  direction  from  the 
enlargement,  or  over  an  area  3  to  4  inches  across.  Fasten  the  animal's 
head  so  that  it  can  not  reach  the  part  to  lick  it;  after  the  third  day 
grease  with  lard  every  other  day  until  the  scabs  come  off.  This  blister 
may  be  repeated  every  month  or  six  weeks.  The  lameness  will  generally 
begin  to  disappear  about  the  third  or  fourth  month  and  a  more  or  less 
perfect  cure  be  effected  by  the  sixth  or  seventh. 

In  a  ease  of  spavin  the  euro  is  not  effected  by  restoring  the  diseased 
parts  to  their  natural  condition,  but  by  uniting  the  bones  and  obliter- 
ating the  joints.  If  this  union  extends  over  the  whole  articular  surface 
of  the  joints  affected  and  is  sufficiently  strong  to  prevent  any  motion  of 
the  bones,  the  animal  will  again  go  sound.  The  joints  that  are  obliter- 
ated not  being  those  of  motion  are  not  important,  so  that  the  animal 
suffers  no  inconvenience  in  their  loss. 

RHEUMATISM. 

Cattle  exposed  to  severe  cold  or  damp  weather  are  likely  to  suffer 
from  this  disease,  or  it  may  appear  as  a  sequel  to  some  diseases  of  the 
lungs  or  skin.  Some  animals  seem  to  be  naturally  predisposed  to  it. 
In  its  nature  it  is  inflammatory  and  is  more  likely  to  involve  the  organs 


298  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

of  locomotion  than  any  other,  though  the  heart  and  other  internal 
organs  are  occasionally  involved  as  a  secondary  result.  Primarily  it 
appears  as  an  inflammation  of  joints,  ligaments,  tendons,  or  the  covering 
of  muscles.  It  is  due  to  a  specific  condition  of  the  blood  in  which  cer- 
tain irritant  properties  are  developed  and  lodged  and  in  the  fibrous  tis- 
sues of  the  structures  named. 

There  is  some  dispute  as  to  what  the  true  nature  of  the  irritant  prop- 
erty peculiar  to  this  disease  really  is.  The  acid  condition  of  the  urine 
lias  led  to  the  supposition  that  it  is  possibly  due  to  lactic  acid.  In  the 
herbivora  the  acid  found  is  hippuric.  As  it  is  .likely  to  be  caused  by 
impaired  action  of  the  skin,  there  is  reason  to  suppose  that  it  is  due  to 
the  presence  in  the  system  of  some  of  the  natural  constituents  of  per- 
spiration, either  in  excessive  quantity  or  in  perverted  condition. 

It  generally  appears  as  a  sudden  lameness,  with  noticeable  swelling 
around  some  of  the  joints  of  the  affected  limb,  though  it  is  quite  likely 
that  the  swelling  will  not  bear  any  proportionate  relation  to  the  amount 
of  pain  evinced. 

The  disease  may  be  confined  to  one  limb,  or  more  than  one  may  be 
affected.  It  may  appear  simultaneously  in  different  parts  of  the  body, 
or  after  involving  one  or  more  parts  suddenly  disappear  and  reappear 
in  another  place,  which  may  be  remote  from  or  near  to  the  part  first 
affected,  which,  if  the  disease  is  not  arrested,  is  likely  to  suffer  from  sub- 
sequent attacks.  The  local  symptoms  are  always  accompanied  with 
constitutional  disturbance  of  a  feverish  nature,  which  usually  precedes 
the  appearence  of  the  more  painful  symptoms.  The  temperature  is 
likely  to  run  up  from  104°  F.  to  108°  F.  In  an  acute  attack  the  mouth 
will  be  found  hot  and  dry,  the  pulse  hard,  the  secretion  of  urine  lessened, 
the  urine  acid  in  its  character  and  charged  with  impurities.  The  bowels 
are  less  active,  and  there  is  frequently  a  marked  disposition  to  lie  down 
continuously. 

A  chronic  type  of  the  disease,  which  may  supervene  on  the  acute  or 
occur  independently,  is  characterized  by  the  symptoms  already  men- 
tioned, except  that  the  constitutional  disturbance  is  not  likely  to  be 
present,  or,  if  so,  not  so  marked,  nor  do  the  acute  local  conditions  show 
the  same  tendency  to  shift  from  one  part  to  another. 

This  inclination  to  remain  fixed  in  one  place  has  a  tendency  to  bring 
about  structural  derangement  and  permanent  injury  to  the  parts  in- 
volved in  the  shape  of  thickening  and  enlargement  of  the  soft  struc- 
tures, or  in  extreme  cases  in  the  formation  of  bony  tumors  and  the 
obliteration  of  a  joint. 

Treatment. — At  the  outset  a  purgative  dose  of  Epsom  salts  should  be 
given,  which  may  be  from  1  to  1|  pounds  for  an  ordinary- sized  cow.  If 
the  pain  is  very  acute  it  may  be  relieved  by  occasional  doses  of  lauda- 
num or  opium,  not  more  than  an  ounce  of  the  former  or  a  dram  of  the 
latter,  three  times  a  day.  When  the  opium  is  used  care  must  be  taken 
to  keep  the  bowels  acting  regularly.  For  this  purpose  it  may  be  ncces- 


BONES — DISEASES   AND   ACCIDENTS.  299 

sary  to  give  occasional  small  doses  of  Epsom  salts.  In  conjunction 
with  the  above,  or  alone  if  it  is  not  deemed  necessary  to  give  tlie  opium, 
half-ounce  doses  of  the  nitrate  or  bicarbonate  of  potash  should  be  given 
three  times  a  day.  Great  care  should  be  exercised  to  keep  the  patient 
comfortable.  If  unable  to  stand,  a  liberal  supply  of  bedding  should  be 
used  to  prevent  possible  injury  from  bruising  and  bed-sores.  The  stall 
should  be  roomy,  so  that  the  patient  may  move  with  ease  and  be  per- 
fectly free  from  moisture,  drafts,  and  sudden  changes  of  temperature. 
The  food  should  be  such  as  will  be  easily  digested — bran  mashes,  green 
food  when  it  can  be  procured,  and  clean  hay.  Locally  the  pain  may  be 
relieved  and  the  disease  checked  by  the  application  around  the  affected 
joint  of  stimulating  liniments  or  blisters.  (See  blister  recommended  for 
use  in  treatment  of  spavin.) 


SURGICAL  OPERATIONS. 


By  the  late  Dr.  WILLIAM  DICKSON,  Veterinarian  to  the  State  Farmers'  Institute 
of  Minnesota;  revised  and  completed  by  Dr.  WM.  HERBERT  LOWE,  Super- 
intendent of  the  United  States  Quarantine  for  the  port  of  Xev>  Tori:,  Garficld,  X.  J. 


There  are  fewer  surgical  operations  performed  on  the  cow  than  on 
the  horse.  Various  causes  conduce  to  this  result.  Naturally  plethoric, 
slow  in  their  motions,  and  even  when  at  liberty,  save  under  occasional 
exceptional  circumstances,  singularly  averse  to  active  exertion  of  any 
kind,  animals  of  the  ox  tribe  consequently  enjoy  a  practical  immunity 
from  a  proportion  of  accidents  which  in  animals  of  a  more  buoyant  and 
active  temperament  so  frequently  entail  results  demanding  surgical 
intervention.  Oxen  are  seldom  used  nowadays  for  purposes  of  draft 
or  burden,  and  even  when  put  to  either  of  these  uses  the  risk  of  any- 
thing like  serious  injury  is  greatly  diminished  by  their  deliberate  move- 
ment. The  nature  of  their  food  and  their  usual  environments  all  tend 
to  operate  more  or  less  in  the  same  direction. 

There  is,  however,  another  and  a  very  material  reason.  A  cow,  an 
ox,  or  any  individual  of  the  species,  represents  to  the  ordinary  owner 
just  so  much  capital — not  usually  a  very  large  amount — and  in  the 
event  of  accident  or  ailment  monetary  or  utilitarian  considerations 
have  an  important  bearing  on  the  question  of  recourse  to  professional 
assistance.  An  ox  is  but  an  ox  anyhow,  and,  although  the  interest  of 
his  owner  sometimes  requires  to  have  a  sick  one  treated,  the  animal 
itself,  I  fear,  is  but  seldom  regarded  as  possessing  much  if  any  claim 
to  moral  protection,  still  less  to  sentimental  consideration.  If  he  is 
injured  he  has  got  to  be  mended,  but,  like  a  piece  of  torn  currency,  how 
does  not  so  much  matter.  Surely  humanity  demands  kind  treatment 
for  all  animals,  and  even  when  compassion  and  self  interest  do  not  join 
hands  the  sick  or  wounded  bovine  has  quite  as  much  claim  to  all  pos- 
sible relief  from  pain  and  suflcring  as  the  most  valuable  or  highly 
endowed  of  living  creatures. 

The  primary  object  of  a  work  of  this  kind,  therefore,  is  to  treat  of  the 
best  means  known  to  practical  science  in  a  style  and  language  so  plain 
that  an  owner  will  himself  bo  able  to  come  to  the  assistance  of  his  suf- 
fering dumb  dependents,  and,  in  many  of  the  emergencies  which  occur 
on  the  farm  or  the  ranch,  be  able,  with  the  help  of  the  knowledge  thus 

'Ml 


302  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

attained,  to  perform  many  of  the  minor  operations  which  may  become 
necessary  without  having  to  Aveigh  the  question  of  possible  cost  against 
the  economical  results  to  be  attained  by  professional  treatment. 

The  intention  is  not  by  any  means  to  supplant  the  veterinary  prac- 
titioner. It  is,  on  the  contrary,  the  matured  result  of  a  deep  and  earn- 
est desire  to  benefit  the  farmer  and  stock-owner  by  directing  aright  his 
well 'meaning  but  ofttimes  mistaken  efforts  and  those  of  his  employes  in 
ministering  to  the  necessities  of  their  suffering  charges  in  those  emer- 
gencies which  are  constantly  liable  to  occur  where  competent  assistance 
is  beyond  reach.  It  is  to  enable  him  to  perform  in  a  rational  and  effect- 
ive manner  minor  operations  which  AYOiild  in  any  case  be  undertaken 
with  less  intelligence  and  success  than  would  be  likely  were  the  owner 
armed  with  a  certain  knowledge  of  the  correct  principles  on  which  they 
ought  to  be  conducted.  If  this  work  fulfills  its  mission,  as  who  can 
doubt  it  will,  the  efforts  at  self-help  of  its  readers  will  be  free  from  bung- 
ling and  simple  guesswork,  while  the  animals  in  their  charge  will  be 
material  gainers  by  the  change. 

There  are,  moreover,  sundry  operations  hardly,  perhaps,  entitled  to 
rank  as  surgical,  which  are  usually  performed  not  always  by  any  means 
in  the  best  possible  manner,  nor  with  invariable  success  by  the  ani- 
mal's owner  or  his  servants.  It  will  be  the  writer's  endeavor  to  attempt 
to  show  how  some  of  them  can  be  performed  in  such  a  way  as  to  obtain 
the  most  favorable  results  while  abridging  the  animal's  pain  and  peril 
and  diverting  danger  and  consequent  loss. 

In  the  performance  .of  any  operation  upon  an  animal  of  the  size  and 
strength  of  the  ox  the  first  consideration  is  to  secure  it  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  preclude  the  possibility  of  its  injuring  either  itself  or  those 
taking  any  part  in  the  operation,  for  two  or  more  are  invariably  neces 
sary.  The  nature  and  time  likely  to  be  occupied  by  an  operation  must 
of  course  largely  determine  the  method  to  be  adopted. 

The  majority  of  operations  with  which  the  present  chapter  is  con- 
cerned arc  usually  performed  on  the  ox  in  a  standing  position.  To 
secure  the  animal  in  this  position  lay  hold  of  one  horn  and  with  the 
disengaged  hand  grasp  the  nose,  the  finger  and  thumb  being  intro- 
duced into  the  nostrils,  and  press  against  the  cartilage  which  makes  a 
division  between  them.  If  this  is  insufficient  the  animal  should  be 
secured  to  a  tree  or  a  post.  A  very  excellent  method  of  restraint  is  to 
tie  a  long  rope  in  a  slip  noose  over  the  horns,  pass  it  around  the  chest 
just  behind  the  fore  legs,  taking  a  half  hitch  on  itself,  taking  another 
half  hitch  in  front  of  the  hind  limbs,  passing  the  free  end  under  the 
tail,  bringing  it  forward  and  making  it  fast  either  to  the  head  or  one  of 
the  hitches.  The  head  should  be  raised  to  the  level  of  the  back  before 
the  final  knot  is  tied,  so  as  to  render  it  too  serious  and  painful  a  mat- 
ter for  him  to  repeat  the  first  attempt  he  makes  to  lower  it.  Should 
the  nature  or  extent  of  the  operation  be  likely  to  take  up  a  considerable 
length  of  time  it  is  invariably  the  best  plan  to  throw  the  animal.  In 


SUEGICAL   OPERATIONS.  303 

the  case  of  the  ox  this  is  very  easily  done,  either  by  use  of  horse  hob- 
bles should  they  be  at  hand,  or  by  the  application  of  a  simple  rope.  If 
the  horse  hobbles  are  used  they  should  be  fastened  on  the  leg  just 
above  the  fetlocks  (ankle  joints),  as  they  are  in  that  position  less  liable 
to  coine  off  than  if  placed  around  the  pastern. 

Of  the  many  ways  of  applying  the  rope  for  this  purpose  I  will  only 
describe  two,  which  I  consider  the  best  and  simplest.  First:  Take  a 
long,  strong  rope  (one  which  has  been  used  a  few  times  is  more  flexible), 
double  it,  and  at  two  or  tliree  feet  from  the  doubled  end,  according  to 
the  size  of  the  animal,  make  a  knot  and  pass  the  collar  thus  formed  over 
the  animal's  head,  allowing  it  to  rest  on  what  would  be  the  collar  place 
in  a  horse.  Now  pass  the  ends  of  the  rope  between  the  fore  legs,  carry 
one  around  each  hind  leg  just  above  the  fetlock  joint,  from  outside  in, 
under  itself  once,  and  bring  the  free  ends  forward,  passing  each  through 
the  collar  loop  on  its  own  side  and  bringing  the  slack  back  toward  and 
beyond  the  hind  quarters.  (Plate  xxvi,  Fig.  2.) 

Two  or  three  stout  men  should  then  take  hold  of  each  rope  and  at  a 
given  signal  pull.  The  animal's  hind  legs  being  drawn  forward,  the 
balance  is  lost,  and  if  the  animal  does  not  fall  or  lie  down  he  can  be 
readily  pushed  over  on  his  side  and  secured  in  the  desired  position. 
Second :  The  three  half  hitches.  Take  a  rope  30  or  more  feet  long, 
make  a  slip  noose  at  the  end,  and  pass  it  over  the  animal's  horns,  leav- 
ing the  knot  in  the  loop  between  the  horns;  then  pass  the  rope  back- 
ward along  the  neck  to  the  withers,  just  in  front  of  which  take  a  half 
hitch  on  it,  passing  it  along  the  back,  take  one  half  hitch  just  behind 
the  forelegs  and  a  second  in  front  of  the  hind  limbs  round  the  flank. 
(Plate  xxvi,  Fig.  1.)  The  free  end  of  the  rope  is  taken  hold  of  by  one  or 
two  assistants  while  another  holds  the  animal's  head.  By  pulling  firmly 
on  the  rope,  or  inducing  the  animal  to  make  a  step  or  two  forward  while 
steady  traction  is  made  on  the  rope,  the  beast  will  quietly  lie  down, 
when  his  feet  can  be  secured  in  the  way  most  convenient  for  the  opera  tor. 

There  are  numerous  other  methods,  involving  more  or  less  complete 
restraint,  which  may  be  equally  eflicacious,  but  one  or  other  of  the  ways 
indicated  will  doubtless  bo  found  to  fully  meet  all  ordinary  cases. 

RFNttlNO  THE   BULL. 

This  is  usually  and  ought  always  to  be  done  before  the  calf  has  at- 
tained sullieient  weight  or  strength  t«>  make  his  restraint  a  matin-  of 
serious  difficulty.  An  ordinary  halter  is  usually  all  that  is  required, 
the  strap  being  .secured  to  a  tree  or  post.  A  jointed  steel  or  copper 
ring  is  ordinarily  used.  Those  made  of  the  latter  metal  an-  prefer- 
able. 

The  comiuon  method  of  punching  a  round  piece  out  ot'tho  nasal  sep- 
tum for  the  introduction  of  the  rin#  is,  I  think,  open  to  objection,  as 
portions  of  the  fine  nervous  filament*  are  destroyed.  The  sensibility  of 
the  parts  is  thus  lessened  and  the  object  of  ringing  to  some  extent  dc- 


304  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

feated.     The  insertion  of  the  ring  by  means  of  a  trocar  and  canula  is 
preferable,  as  the  method  is  not  open  to  this  objection. 

For  some  years  I  have  used  a  little  instrument  devised  by  myself 
which  can  be  made  by  any  worker  in  metal,  consisting  of  a  steel  point 
riveted  into  a  short  canula  made  to  fit  on  one  end  of  the  ring  while 
open.  (Plate  xxviu,  Fig.  11.)  When  attached  to  the  ring  it  is  easily 
and  quickly  passed  through  the  septum,  the  half  of  the  ring  following 
as  a  matter  of  course.  It  can  then  be  removed,  and  the  ends  of  the 
ring  brought  together  and  fastened  by  means  of  the  screw  for  that  pur- 
pose. By  this  means  any  animal  can  readily  be  ringed  by  anyone  in 
less  time  than  it  takes  to  describe  the  process;  Avhereas,  by  any  other 
method  which  necessitates  first  puncturing  or  piercing  the  septum  and 
subsequently  introducing  the  ring,  the  operation  is,  even  when  the 
animal's  struggles  do  not  complicate  matters,  necessarily  rendered 
tedious  and  uncertain  by  the  fact  that  the  openings  through  the  skin 
and  cartilage  are  not  in  apposition. 

DEHORNING. 

In  this  and  other  countries  for  some  years  past  a  heated  controversy 
has  from  time  to  time  been  carried  on  not  only  as  to  the  advisability  of 
dehorning,  but  also  as  to  the  propriety  of  the  proceeding.  The  advo- 
cates of  wholesale  removal  of  horns  in  many  cases  exaggerate  alike  the 
necessity  and  the  advantages  accruing  from  the  practice;  on  the  other 
hand,  their  opponents  are  backed  by  the  ultra  humanitarian  who  stig- 
matizes the  operation  as  barbarous,  or  worse.  In  some  countries  these 
views  are  upheld  even  by  courts  of  law  whose  legal  acumen  is  able  to 
detect  in  the  procedure  grave  cruelty  to  animals. 

In  this  country  owners  are  left  to  decide  matters  of  this  sort  for  them- 
selves, but  a  work  of  this  kind  would  hardly  be  complete  without  some 
expression  of  an  opinion  on  the  subject  which  might  be  helpful  to  the 
dubious  when  the  matter  comes  up  for  decision.  Justly,  then,  does  the 
operation  amount  to  cruelty  ? 

I  answer  distinctly,  it  does  not.  Cruelty  to  animals  is  defined  as  the 
infliction  of  unnecessary  paiu.  Now,  the  operation  of  dehorning  causes 
pain  certainly,  as  all  surgical  operations  necessarily  do,  but  it  is  not  by 
any  means  more  painful  than  many  other  operations  (notably  castra- 
tion), to  which  we  regularly  subject  individual  animals  without  a  second 
thought.  Moreover,  the  pain  is  transient  as  well  as  slight,  and  as  a 
matter  of  fact  pales  into  insignificance  before  the  severe  and  lasting 
torture  inflicted  as  a  matter  of  every-day  occurrence  by  animals  upon 
each  other  when  left  to  wear  in  confinement  their  weapons  of  offense, 
which,  although  doubtless  of  utility  in  a  wild  state  are  in  a  state  of 
domesticity  a  menace  to  their  companions  and  a  dangerous  encumbrance 
to  themselves. 

The  matter  has  acquired  enhanced  importance  from  the  fact  that, 
owing  to  the  strenuous  efforts  made  by  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agri- 


SURGICAL    OPERATIONS.  305 

culture,  the  invidious  discrimination  which  barred  the  entrance  to 
Europe  of  American  stackers  is  likely  to  be  removed,  and  our  cattle 
are  liable  in  the  near  future  to  make  lengthened  journeys  by  land  and 
sea.  The  removal  of  their  horns  will  then  not  only  lessen  the  owner's 
risk,  but  will  also  add  materially  to  the  comfort  and  safety  of  the  animals 
themselves. 

But  there  is  fortunately  within  the  reach  of  all  an  open  avenue  of 
escape  from  that  portion  of  the  operation  which  supplies  the  only  cogent 
argument  against  the  practice  under  discussion. 

The  owner  of  the  2  or  3  day's  old  calf,  if  he  wishes  it  to  all  intents 
and  purposes  a  "  moolly,"  can  dehorn  it,  or,  more  correctly  speaking, 
prevent  horns  ever  being  developed,  by  means  of  a  chemical  prepara- 
tion which  reduces  the  pain  to  a  minimum,  while  it  is  even  more  effect- 
ual than  either  the  saw  or  forceps.  There  are  several  chemical  dehorn- 
ers  advertised  in  the  open  market,  most  or  all  of  them  effective,  but  the 
cheapest  and  simplest  consists  of  a  stick  of  caustic  potash. 

The  operation  is  performed  as  follows,  and  is  uniformly  successful,  if 
performed  before  the  calf  is  3  days  old :  The  little  animal  is  caught  and 
gently  laid  over  on  its  side,  in  which  position  it  is  easily  held  by  one 
assistant  while  the  operator  clips  the  hair  off  the  trifling  prominence 
on  the  frontal  bone,  which  marks  the  spot  on  the  uppermost  side  of  the 
head  where  the  horn  would  be  developed  if  not  interfered  with.  He 
then  takes  his  stick  of  potash,  dips  it  in  cold  water,  and  carefully  rubs 
it  over  the  part  just  clipped  for  the  space  of,  say,  ten  seconds.  The  calf 
is  now  turned  over,  the  corresponding  portion  of  the  frontal  bone  on  that 
side  clipped  and  thoroughly  rubbed  with  the  moistened  potash  the  same 
way  as  the  first. 

By  this  time  the  side  first  treated  is  dry  and  ready  for  a  second  appli- 
cation of  the  caustic,  which  should  conform  exactly  to  the  first.  Fol- 
low the  same  procedure  on  the  rcmaining-side,  where  the  matrix  of  the 
embryo  horn  has  been  located,  and  if  the  caustic  has  been  properly 
applied  no  horns  will  ever  make  their  appearance. 

For  animals  intended  to  be  kept  either  for  steers  or  dairy  cows  noth- 
ing can  be  more  effectual,  but  it  were  well  to  discriminate  between  these 
and  the  head  of  the  herd,  the  bull,  and  for  this  reason:  We  dehorn  our 
cows  and  steers  chietly  to  protect  them  from  each  other,  whereas  our 
main  object  in  dehorning  the  bull  is  to  protect  ourselves.  For  this 
reason  our  end  in  the  case  of  the.  latter  is  more  effectually  accomplished 
if  we  leave  him  in  possession  of  his  horns  until  he  has  learned  to  rely 
upon  them  as  his  weaj>ons  of  offense  and  defense,  and  then  deprive 
him  ot  his  armament.  If  we  employ  in  his  case  chemical  dehorning  at 
the  early  age  recommended  for  the  steer  ami  row,  necessity  becomes  a 
second  nature,  and  the  animal  intuitively  adopts  the  catapult  like  tac- 
tics of  the  ''moolly.'1  These,  although,  comparatively  speaking,  less 
harmful  as  between  the  animals  them  selves,  are  equally  dangerous  when 
directed  against  their  owner;  for  captious,  indeed,  would  IM>  the  critic 
who  discriminated  between  being  butted  to  death  or  hooked  to  death. 
24097 1>0 


306  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Instances  have  been  cited  to  prove  that  the  effects  of  the  deprivation 
of  his  horns  are  only  temporary  in  the  case  of  the  animal  that  has  once 
become  dangerous  or  unruly,  but  a  lengthened  and  varied  experience 
convinces  rne  that  such  is  not  the  general  fact.  The  moral  effect  of 
throwing  the  animal  and  depriving  it  of  its  natural  weapons  is  both 
great  and  lasting,  and"  with  proper  treatment  the  advantages  thus 
obtained  need  neither  be  lost  nor  lessened.  The  animal,  shorn  of  its 
weapons,  dreads  the  very  approach  of  man,  and  its  impulse  is  to  go 
from  him  instead  of  for  him.  Animals  are  of  more  retentive  memory 
than  they  are  generally  credited  with.  May  we  venture  on  a  case  in 
point : 

In  Iowa  a  certain  hog  went  daily  to  the  railroad  depot  to  gratify  his 
appetite  with  the  grains  of  corn  dropped  from  the  trains  in  passing. 
One  day,  when  familiarity  had  assuaged  his  fear  of  cars  and  engines, 
his  fastidious  taste  induced  him  to  endeavor  to  secure  an  tin  usually 
tempting  morsel  that  lay  between  the  rails  underneath  a  train  then 
standing  at  the  station.  At  this  moment  the  train  happened  to  start, 
taking  with  it  the  porker's  tail,  which  had  become  ^imprisoned  between 
the  wheel  and  the  shoe  of  the  brake,  leaving  the  unfortunate  epicure  to 
go  through  the  rest  of  his  career  without  a  steering  apparatus.  One 
would  have  supposed  the  warning  would  have  proved  deterrent,  but 
those  who  took  an  interest  in  the  venturesome  porcine  observed  that 
while  he  adhered  to  his  daily  foraging  expeditions  on  the  track,  when- 
ever he  heard  the  rattle  of  the  cars  or  the  whistle  of  the  locomotive  he 
gravely  backed  up  against  an  adjacent  water-tank  to  insure  the  safety 
of  his  already  diminished  ornament.  The  animal  had  had  sufficient 
railroading  experience  to  be  able  to  appreciate  to  the  full  extent  the 
awful  seriousness  of  the  loss  of  terminal  facilities.  He  did  not  want 
any  more  tail  taken  off;  and  it  is  exactly  so  with  the  bull  deprived  of 
his  horns.  Let  him  keep  them  until  he  has  learned  to  depend  on  them, 
then  take  them  off,  and  if  rationally  treated  he  will  ever  after  be  quiet 
and  tractable. 

Theoperation  is  in  itself  simple,  and  can  under  ordinary  circumstances 
be  performed  by  the  owner.  The  precaution  of  the  greatest  importance 
is  to  see  that  the  animal  is  secured  so  that  it  can  not  struggle  enough 
to  hurt  itself.  The  animal  may  be  thrown  by  any  of  the  methods  already 
indicated.  The  only  additional  accessories  for  the  above  purpose  is  a 
strong  halter  and  a  long  rope,  fastened  ammd  its  girth  before  it  is  cast. 
The  free  end  of  this  is  then  passed  through,  the  ring  on  the  halter  and 
the  Jiead  pulled  back  against  the  ribs.  A  hitch  underneath  the  tail 
should  bring  the  rope  forward  to  the  halter,  where  it  may  be  fastened 
so  as  to  be  readily  loosed  when  the  first  horn  has  been  removed.  To 
remove  the  second  horn  loose  the  head,  turn  the  animal  over,  and 
refasten  the  head  as  before. 

The  exponents  of  dehorning  have  attempted  to  envelop  the  operation 
in  a  mist  of  a  technical  absurdities,  and  insist  on  the  necessity  of  an 


SURGICAL   OPERATIONS.  307 

apparatus  as  intricate  as  a  self-binder  and  about  as  easy  to  move  round 
as  the  average  elevator.  But  the  above  method  will  answer  all  prac- 
tical purposes.  The  only  instrument  needed  is  an  ordinary  jointing 
saw,  which  should  be  used  as  quietly  and  quickly  as  possible. 

Animals  may  be  dehorned  any  time  except  in  flytime,  or  when  the 
mercury  is  liable  to  drop  to  the  neighborhood  of  zero,  and  cold  water  is 
the  only  dressing  needed.  It  is  a  good  practice  to  deprive  the  animal 
of  food  for  twelve  hours  before  operating. 

BLEEDING   OR  BLOOD-LETTING. 

Although  nowadays  this  operation  has  fortunately  become  less  fre- 
quent than  when  it  was  generally  considered  the  panacea  for  all  ills, 
there  are  beyond  doubt  some  cases  in  which  the  operation  is  admittedly 
the  quickest  and  surest  means  of  affording  relief. 

In  the  ox  the  operation  is  usually  performed  on  the  left  jugular  vein, 
which  is  large  and  is  easily  rendered  so  prominent  as  to  prevent  the 
Ibility  of  mistake,  by  tying  a  cord  around  the  neck  below  the  place 
where  the  incision  is  to  be  made.  (Plate  xxvii,  Fig.  4.)  The  rope  should 
1)  •  tied  in  a  slip  knot,  so  as  to  admit  of  its  being  easily  undone,  or  a 
rope  used  with  a  loop  at  one  end  and  a  series  of  good-sized  knots  at  the 
other,  the  loop  and  knots  to  be  used  as  buttons  and  button  holes.  The 
best  instrument  to  use  is  a  large-bladed  fleam.  (Plate  xxvii.  Fig.  3.) 
After  the  animal  is  secured  the  operator  stands  by  the  shoulder,  holds 
the  fleam  in  his  left  hand,  the  blade  just  short  of  touching  the  skin  and 
parallel  to  the  direction  of  the  vein,  and  the  stick  or  mallet  with  which 
to  strike  it  in  his  right;  one  quick  sharp  blow  should  be  sufficient.  If 
tin  hair  is  long  it  is  a  wise  precaution  to  moisten  and  smooth  it  down. 

When  sufficient  blood  has  been  withdrawn  the  rope  is  removed  and 
the  orifice  closed  by  means  of  a  pin  inserted  through  the  lips  of  the 
incision  in  the  skin  only,  and  a  piece  of  fine  string  or  tow  wound  either 
over  or  under  it  in  the  shape  of  a  figure  8,  or  in  a  circle  between  the 
skin  and  the  pin  (Plate  xxvni,  Fig.  10),  the  point  of  which  should  be 
clipped  off.  To  prevent  the  animal  from  rubbing  the  part  and  tearing 
or  dislodging  the  pin,  it  is  advisable  to  tie  the  head  up  for  a  couple  of 
da)  s,  providing  the  animal's  health  will  admit  of  it,  after  which  the 
pin  may  be  removed  and  the  wound  left  to  heal  in  the  usual  manner. 

Before  leaving  the  subject  it  may  be  well  to  add  that  as  the  good 
effect*  derived  from  bleeding  depends  more  on  the  quickness  with 
which  the  blood  is  drawn  than  on  the  quantity  extracted,  it  is  of 
uni>ortunee  that  a  liberal  opening  should" be  made  into  the  blood  vessel 
and  the  blood  allowed  to  How  until  a  iKireeptible  impression  has  Ijeeii 
made  on  the  pulse. 

AH  has  already  been  said,  the  l»»-st  instrument  in  the  hands  of  an 
owner  is  the  fleam,  as  owing  to  the  toughness  and  thickness  of  the 
skin  of  the  ox  the  edge  of  a  lancet  is  apt  to  turn  and  intlict  a  -.ish 
in  a  direction  other  than  the  operator  intended.  1  need  hardly  add 


308  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

that  the  instrument  used  should  be  sharp  and  scrupulously  clean.  A 
neglect  of  the  latter  precaution  is  apt  to  lead  to  very  serious  conse- 
quences. 

SETONING. 

Setons  are  used  in  case  of  the  ox  tribe  for  various  purposes,  of  which 
perhaps  the  most  common  is  as  a  preventive  in  anthrax  or  blackleg, 
when  a  seton  is  usually  inserted  in  the  dewlap.  This  is  not  done  to 
afford  exit  to  any  poisonous  discharge  from  the  system,  as  is  generally 
supposed,  but  to  cause  a  sufficient  amount  of  inflammation  to  increase 
the  coagulating  properties  of  the  blood,  which  in  these  diseases  becomes 
altered  (as  described  elsewhere),  notably  losing  its  viscidity  and  in 
consequence  oozing  through  the  walls  of  the  blood  vessels.  For  this 
purpose  the  seton  should  be  deeply  inserted  and  should  be  dressed 
daily  with  turpentine  or  common  blister. 

The  ordinary  use  of  a  seton  is  for  a  different  object,  as,  for  instance, 
to  keep  up  constant  drainage  from  a  cavity  containing  matter,  or  to 
act  as  a  stimulant  or  counterirritant.  To  insert  a  seton,  the  place  of 
entrance  and  exit  having  been  decided  on,  with  the  finger  and  thumb 
make  a  small  fold  of  the  skin  transverse  to  the  direction  the  seton  is  to 
be  inserted,  and  cut  it  through,  either  with  a  sharp  knife  or  a  pair  of 
scissors  (this  should  be  done  at  both  the  entrance  and  exit) ;  then  with  a 
steady  pressure  and  slight  lateral  movement  insert  the  seton  by  means 
of  a  seton  needle.  (Plate  xviu,  Figs.  1  and  2.)  The  seton  should  consist 
of  a  piece  of  strong  tape,  varying  in  breadth  according  to  circumstances, 
and  should  be  kept  in  place  either  by  a  knot  on  each  end  or  by  tying 
the  ends  together. 

Setons  should  be  gently  moved  once  a  day  after  suppuration  is  set 
up,  and  they  should  not  be  allowed  to  remain  in  over  three  weeks,  or  a 
month  at  the  outside. 

TRACHEOTOMY. 

This  operation  consists  of  making  an  opening  in  the  trachea  or  wind- 
pipe. It  is  indicated  whenever  there  is  an  obstruction  from  any  cause 
in  the  upper  part  of  the  respiratory  tract  which  threatens  the  death 
of  the  animal  by  asphyxia  (suffocation).  The  mode  of  procedure  is  as 
follows :  Have  an  assistant  extend  the  animal's  head  as  far  as  possible 
to  make  the  trachea  tense  and  prominent;  make  a  longitudinal  incision 
about  2  or  2|  inches  long  through  the  skin  and  deeper  tissues  at  the 
most  prominent  part  of  the  trachea,  which  is  about  the  middle  or  upper 
third ;  the  edges  of  the  skin  should  be  held  apart  to  allow  the  intro- 
duction of  the  tenaculum  or  curved  needle  through  the  rings  of  the 
trachea,  and  a  circular  piece  of  the  trachea  removed,  large  enough  to 
allow  of  the  introduction  of  the  tracheotomy  tube.  (Plate  xxvii,  Figs. 
1  and  2.)  The  latter  should  be  removed  once  or  twice  daily  and 
cleansed,  and  the  wound  dressed  antiseptically.  To  ascertain  when  it 
is  time  to  discontinue  the  use  of  the  tube  and  to  allow  the  wound  to 


SURGICAL    OPERATIONS.  .  309 

close,  the  hand  should  be  held  over  the  opening,  which  will  necessitate 
the  animal  to  use  ks  natural  passages  in  breathing.  Observe  if  it  is 
performed  in  a  natural  manner,  and  if  so  remove  the  tube  and  allow 
the  wound  to  close.  This  is  the  general  mode  of  procedure  where  the 
surgeon  has  all  the  necessary  instruments  and  a  moderate  amount  of 
time  at  his  disposal.  Often  it  has  to  be  performed  in  great  haste  with- 
out the  proper  instruments  and  under  great  disadvantages,  the  operator 
having  to  quickly  cut  down  and  open  the  trachea  and  spread  the  parts, 
using  some  instrument  improvised  by  him  at  the  time.  This  operation 
only  gives  the  animal  relief  in  breathing,  and  therefore  the  proper 
remedial  treatment  should  be  adopted  at  the  onset  of  the  attack  and 
continued  until  the  cause  (the  disease)  has  been  overcome. 

CHOKING. 

Choking,  or  the  lodging  of  foreign  bodies  in  the  gullet  is  divided  into 
pharyngeal,  cervical,  and  thoracic,  according  to  location  of  the  obstruc- 
tion. The  symptoms  in  general  are  uneasiness  on  the  part  of  the 
patient,  involuntary  movement  of  the  jaws,  grinding  of  the  teeth,  a 
profuse  escape  of  saliva  and  tympanitis  of  the  rumen.  If  the  obstruc- 
tion is  in  the  pharynx  the  mouth  speculum  should  be  introduced  and 
the  hand  and  arm  of  the  operator  oiled  and  inserted  and  an  effort  made 
to  remove  the  obstruction.  If  this  should  be  unsuccessful  it  will  prob- 
ably be  necessary  to  have  recourse  to  the  probang,  (Plate  in,  Fig.  2), 
which  should  be  carefully  introduced  and  the  obstruction  slowly  pushed 
downwards  toward  the  rumen,  care  being  taken  not  to  lacerate  the 
coats  of  the  o?sophagus.  An  operation  known  as  o?sophagotoiny  may 
be  performed  in  case  the  above  efforts  have  failed.  I  will  briefly  de- 
scribe the  steps  to  be  taken  in  such  an  emergency. 

CESOPHAGOTOMV. 

This  operation  is  easily  performed,  but,  as  above  stated,  should  not 
be  resorted  to  unless  all  other  methods  have  failed,  as  wounds  of  the 
oesophagus  are  difficult  to  manage,  and  tend  to  produce  a  stricture  of 
the  tube. 

To  perform  the  operation  have  a  strong  assistant  clovate  the  animal's 
head  so  as  to  stretch  and  render  tense  the  inferior  muscles  of  the  neck. 
With  a  sharp  convex  bistoury  make  a  longitudinal  incision  through 
the  skin,  muscles,  and  coats  of  the  (esophagus  directly  down  upon  the 
obstacle,  care  being  taken  not  to  make  the  incision  any  longer  than 
necessary.  After  the  obstruction  is  removed  the  wound  in  theu'sopha 
gus  is  closed  and  sutured  with  carboli/ed  catgut,  then  the  divided 
muscle  and  skin  brought  in  apposition  and  secured.  The  animal 
should  bo  fed  on  gruels  for  a  few  days  and  the  wound  dressed  daily 
upon  the  same  general  principles  as  an  ordinary  wound. 


310  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

PUNCTURING   THE   RUMEN. 

This  is  an  operation  that  when  indicated  has  to  be  performed  at  once 
or  the  animal  may  be  lost.  It  is  indicated  in  severe  cases  of  acute 
tympanites  in  cattle,  commonly  known  as  hoven,  which  is  due  to  the 
generation  of  gas  resulting  from  fermentation.  To  relieve  this  disten- 
sion an  ordinary  cattle  trocar  and  canula  (Plate  in,  Figs.  5  a  and  5  &)  are 
inserted  into  the  rumen,  the  most  distended  portion  of  the  left  side  of 
the  animal  being  the  part  selected.  The  trocar  is  withdrawn  and  the 
canula  left  in  until  the  gas  has  fully  escaped. 

Puncturing  is  not  a  serious  operation  in  cattle,  and  in  cases  of  great 
distension  should  be  performed  without  hesitancy  or  delay.  Relief  is 
almost  instantaneous  in  many  cases.  Of  course  the  proper  remedial 
agents  should  be  administered  to  arrest  further  fermentation.  (See 
Tympanites,  p.  29.) 

RUMENOTOMY. 

*  The  opening  of  the  paunch  or  rumen  in  cattle  and  the  removal  of  a 
part  or  the  whole  of  the  ingesta  through  said  opening  is  termed  miner  - 
otomy.  The  operation  should  only  be  performed  in  severe  cases  where 
the  rumen  is  excessively  overloaded  and  distended.  The  animal  is 
placed  with  its  right  side  against  a  wall  and  firmly  held  in  position  by 
strong  assistants.  The  incision  is  made  in  the  same  place  that  the 
trocar  is  inserted  for  puncturing  that  organ  in  cases  of  hoveu.  The 
opening  is  increased  in  size  until  the  operator's  hand  can  be  inserted 
into  the  rumen.  Before  any  of  the  contents  are  removed  from  that 
organ  a  linen  cloth  should  be  placed  from  the  outer  wound  into  the 
rumen  in  order  to  prevent  any  of  the  ingesta  from  getting  into  the 
abdominal  cavity.  After  removing  a  portion  of  the  contents  of  the 
rumen  some  practitioners  introduce  such  medicine  as  may  be  indicated 
before  closing  the  wound.  Clean  the  wound  and  close  the  opening  in 
the  rumen  with  uninterrupted  (Plate  xxviiij  Fig.  8)  carbolized  catgut 
sutures.  Next  close  the  external  wound,  consisting  of  the  integument, 
muscle,  and  peritoneum,  with  stout  interrupted  (Plate  XXYIII,  Fig.  6) 
metallic  sutures.  No  food  should  be  given  for  several  hours  after  the 
operation,  and  then  only  gruels.  (See  Distension  of  Rumen  with  Food, 
p.  31.) 

TREATMENT   OF  ABSCESSES. 

Abscesses  are  of  frequent  occurrence  and  demand  prompt  treatment. 
An  abscess  may  be  detected,  if  situated  externally,  by  heat,  pain,  red- 
ness, and  swellin  g  in  the  early  stages,  and  if  further  developed  by  the 
fluctuation  which  will  be  present.  When  any  of  these  symptoms  are 
absent,  the  suppuration  should  be  encouraged  by  the  means  of  hot 
fomentations  and  poultices.  Care  must  be  taken  that  the  abscess  is 
not  opened  too  soon,  or  it  may  to  some  extent  cause  it  to  scatter  and 
the  escape  of  pus  will  be  lessened.  The  time  to  open  an  abscess  is  just 


SURGICAL   OPERATIONS.  311 

before  it  is  ready  to  break,  and  should  be  done  with  a  sharp  lance,  a 
crucial  incision  sometimes  being  necessary.  The  cavity  should  be  syr- 
inged out  with  tepid  water,  which  is  better  if  mildly  antiseptic.  Care 
should  be  taken  not  to  allow  the  wound  to  close  too  rapidly,  and  to  pre- 
vent this  a  tent  of  lint  or  oakum  should  be  introduced. 

WOTJJTDS. 

It  is  probably  not  going  too  far  to  say  that  as  a  general  rule  wounds 
of  the  bovine  species,  unless  sufficiently  serious  to  endanger  the  ani- 
mal's life,  are  left  uncared  for.  The  poor  suffering  creatures  are  too 
often,  even  in  fly-time,  left  to  endure  untold  torture  from  wounds  not 
at  first  of  much  importance,  but  which,  from  the  constant  irritation 
caused  by  flies,  dirt,  etc.,  often  develop  into  hideous,  unhealthy  sores, 
which  can  not  fail,  even  when  they  do  heal,  to  leave  extensive  and  last- 
ing blemishes  as  silent  records  of  the  owner's  thriftlessuess  and  inhu- 
manity. 

The  comparatively  low  market  value  of  all  but  the  full-blood  and 
pedigreed  animal  precludes  an  owner  (save  in  a  few  exceptional  cases, 
inspired  by  a  higher  than  ordinary  sense  of  humanity)  from  entertain- 
ing professional  assistance.  It  is  more  than  doubtful  whether  the  suf- 
fering creature  does  not  go  from  bad  to  worse  when  its  case  is  made 
over  to  the  tender  mercies  of  the  ignorant  local  cow-leech,  to  whom 
"wolf  in  the  tail"  is  a  terrifying  living  presence,  and  "hollow horn"  a 
solid  fact,  and  whose  sole  claim  to  erudition  in  such  matters  consists  of 
a  generally  conceited  ability  to  manufacture  on  scientific  prescriptions 
an  artificial  substitute  for  the  cud  supposed  to  be  "  lost." 

There  is  yet  another  class  of  owners  who  entertain  an  infinite  and 
Mind  belief  in  liniments  and  patent  nostrums,  which  are  not  only  an 
unnecessary  expense,  but  sometimes  by  their  very  action  retard  rather 
than  expedite  the  process  by  which  nature  in  her  unerring  wisdom 
repairs  the  injured  tissues,  tendons,  and  bony  structure. 

It  should  always  be  borne  in  mind  that  although  some  applications 
are  stimulating,  and  therefore  serve  as  a  useful  ally  in  the  process  of 
restoration,  it  is  after  all  to  nature  we  must  look  to  renovate  the  injured 
parts,  and  all  that  the  most  skillful  can  do  is  to  intelligently  aid  her  by 
combating  those  conditions  which  are  calculated  to  interfere  with  her 
beneficent  endeavors.  All  that  the  most  suitable  applications  can 
accomplish  in  the  case  of  wounds  is  in  the  first  place  to  prevent  the 
access  of  those  poisonous  germs  which  exist  in  the  surroundings  of  the 
animal,  such  as  the  soil  and  the  manure,  and  in  the  second  when  the 
process  of  repair  is  for  some  reason  temporarily  inactive  or  altogether 
arrested  to  incite  that  curative  intlammntion  which  is  the  invariable 
method  by  which  the  cure  is  effected. 

Some  owners  may  urge  that  it  has  always  been  their  practice  to  use 
some  shotgun  prescription  that  has  earned  for  itsolf  a  reputation, because 
it  was  supposed  to  have  routed  a  rash  on  the  youngest  baby,  and  proved 


312  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

equally  efficacious  on  a  wire-cut  on  the  last  dropped  calf,  without  even 
pausing  to  think  that  either  case  might  have  done  equally  well  or  even 
better  if  confided  unanointed  to  the  healing  hands  of  nature. 

For  the  purposes  of  the  present  work  wounds  may  be  divided  into 
/three  classes:  (1)  Incised ;  (2)  punctured;  (3)  lacerated  or  contused. 

An  incised  wound  is  one  with  clean-cut  edges,  and  may  be  either 
superficial  or  deep.  In  wounds  of  all  descriptions  there  is  necessarily 
more  or  less  bleeding,  and  this  is  especially  liable  to  be  the  case  in 
incised  wounds,  particularly  when  they  penetrate  to  a  considerable 
depth,  or  when  inflicted  on  a  part  where  arteries  of  any  size  approach 
the  surface.  To  arrest  the  hemorrhage  must,  therefore,  be  the  first  con- 
sideration. If  slight,  a  generous  use  of  cold  water  will  be  all  that  is 
necessary,  but  if  one  or  more  vessels  of  any  size  have  been  wounded  or 
entirely  severed  they  should  be  taken  up  and  ligated.  If  the  blood 
flows  continuously  and  is  dark  in  color  it  proceeds  from  a  vein,  but  if 
bright  colored  and  jerky  in  its  flow  it  is  arterial. 

There  is  nothing  very  formidable  or  difficult  in  taking  up  an  artery. 
It  simply  means  tying  up  the  bleeding  vessel,  which  should  be  accom- 
plished as  follows :  To  discover  the  bleeding  artery  take  a  sponge,  dip 
it  in  cold  water,  and  by  gentle  pressure  on  the  wound  clear  it  of  the 
accumulated  blood.  The  jet  of  fresh  blood  reveals  the  end  of  the 
vessel,  which  is  readily  recognized  by  its  whitish  yellow  or  buff  color. 
It  should  be  seized  with  a  forceps  or  pincers  and  slightly  drawn  clear 
of  the  surrounding  tissues.  Now  take  the  thread  and  place  the  middle 
of  it  under  the  artery,  fetch  up  the  ends,  tie  one  simple  knot  tightly, 
pressing  down  the  thread  with  the  forefinger  so  as  not  to  include  the 
forceps,  then  a  second  one  over  it,  cut  off  the  ends,  and  the  thing  is 
done.  The  bleeding  being  arrested,  the  operator  can  now  carefully 
clean  and  inspect  the  wound,  taking  care  to  remove  all  blood  and  for- 
eign matters  and  clip  the  hair  around  the  edges  before  proceeding  to 
stitch  it  up.  If  the  wound  is  superficial  the  lips  may  be  brought 
together  by  a  series  of  independent  stitches  (Plate  xxviu,  Fig.  6),  about 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  to  an  inch  apart.  The  stitches  should  not  be 
drawn  tightly;  it  is  sufficient  to  bring  the  edges  of  the  wound  in 
apposition. 

If  the  wound  is  deep  the  needle  should  be  introduced  perpendicularly 
at  as  great  a  distance  from  the  lip  of  the  wound  as  the  depth  it  is  to 
be  inserted,  so  as  to  give  the  thread  sufficient  hold.  All  the  stitches 
should  be  as  nearly  as  possible  at  equal  distances  from  the  border  of 
the  wound  to  prevent  unequal  strain,  and  the  knots  should  be  made  at 
the  side,  not  over  the  wound.  (Plate  xxviu,  Fig.  6.)  When  the  wound 
is  large  and  deep,  care  should  be  taken  to  have  an  opening  in  the 
lowest  part  to  allow  for  the  escape  of  the  discharges. 

In  deep  wounds  which  run  crosswise  of  a  limb  or  muscle  it  will  often 
be  advisable  to  use  what  is  technically  known  as  the  "  quilled  suture," 
which  is  most  readily  described  by  Fig.  7,  Plate  xxviu.  To  accoin- 


SURGICAL    OPERATIONS.  313 

plish-this  method  a  curved  needle  with  an  eye  in  the  point  and  a  strong 
xlouble  thread  should  be  used.  The  needle  thus  threaded  is  introduced 
perpendicularly  at  least  an  inch  from  the  wound  on  one  side,  carried 
across  below  and  brought  out  the  same  distance  from  the  border  of  the 
cut  on  the  opposite  side,  the  thread  being  seized  and  held  in  position 
while  the  needle  is  withdrawn,  leaving  a  loop  of  thread  protruding  on 
one  side  and  two  loose  ends  on  the  other  of  each  stitch.  When  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  stitches  have  been  made,  take  a  light  piece  of  wood 
about  the  size  of  a  lead  pencil,  corresponding  in  length  to  the  size  of 
the  wound  or  slightly  longer,  and  insert  it  through  each  of  the  loops, 
drawing  up  the  free  ends  of  the  threads,  which  should  in  turn  be  tied 
securely  on  a  similar  piece  of  wood  on  that  side. 

Punctured  icounfo. — Owing  to  the  uncertainty  of  their  depth  and  the 
structures  they  may  involve,  punctured  wounds  are  by  far  the  most 
dangerous  and  difficult  to  treat.  Not  only  is  the  extent  of  the  damage 
hidden  from  view,  but  the  very  character  of  the  injury,  as  can  be  readily 
understood,  implies  at  least  the  possibility  of  deep-seated  inflammation 
and  consequent  discharge  of  pus  (matter),  which,  when  formed,  is  kept 
pent  up  until  it  has  accumulated  to  such  an  extent  that  it  burrows  by 
simple  gravity,  as  no  other  exit  is  possible.  In  this  way  foreign  mat- 
ters, such  as  a  broken  piece  of  the  stake  or  snag,  or  whatever  caused 
the  wound,  may  be  carried  to  an  indefinite  depth,  or  the  cavity  of  a 
joint  may  be  invaded  and  very  serious,  if  not  fatal,  consequences 
supervene. 

The  danger  is  especially  marked  when  the  injury  is  inflicted  on  parts 
liable  to  frequent  and  extensive  motion,  but  all  cases  of  punctured 
wounds  should  receive  unusual  care,  as  no  judgment  can  be  accurately 
formed  from  the  external  appearance  of  the  wound.  While  a  probe 
can  ascertain  the  depth,  it  throws  but  little  light  on  the  extent  or  exact 
nature  of  the  internal  injury.  For  this  reason  all  punctured  wounds 
should  invariably  be  carefully  searched  by  means  of  a  probe  or  some 
substitute  devised  for  the  occasion,  such  as  a  piece  of  wire  with  a 
smooth  blunt  Hid,  or  a  piece  of  hard  wood  shaped  for  the  purpose. 
Stitching  is  not  admissible  in  the  case  of  punctured  wounds. 

In  the  event  of  a  punctured  wound  not  being  very  deep,  when  the 
bruising  and  laceration  are  slight,  it  is  possible  for  healing  to  take 
place  by  adhesion,  and  this  should  always  be  encouraged,  as  the  proc- 
ess of  repair  by  this  method  is  far  superior  to  that  by  granulation, 
which  will  be  referred  to  later.  With  this  object  in  view  the  animal 
should  IK-  kept  as  quiet  as  possible.  A  dose  of  physic,  sueh  as  a  pound 
of  Glauber  or  Kpsom  salts,  should  U-  administered,  and  warm  fomenta- 
tions or  poultices,  when  this  is  practicable,  applied,  the  surface  of  the 
wound  being  dressed  twice  a  day  with  the  ordinary  white  lotion,  which 
is  made  as  follows: 

Acctato  of  l«?a<l 1  ounce. 

Sulphate  of  r.iuf f»  <lrainn. 

Water 1  i|iiart. 


314  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

The  lead  and  zinc  should  be  put  in  a  quart  bottle  with  a  pint  of  rain 
water  and  well  shaken,  when  the  balance  of  the  water  may  be  added. 

In  wounds  of  this  description  the  process  of  repair  may  be  complicated 
by  the  appearance  of  exuberant  granulations,  popularly  known  as 
"  proud  "  or  "  dead  flesh,"  but  these  should  not  be  interfered  with  unless 
they  should  continue  after  the  acute  stage  of  inflammation  has  been  sub- 
dued. If,  after  this,  they  persist,  they  may  be  treated  with  a  solution 
of  sulphate  of  copper  (bluestone)  or  nitrate  of  silver  (lunar  caustic)  and 
water.  Irritation,  caused  by  an  overinterference  with  the  process  of 
repair,  and  injudicious  bandaging  are  potent  factors  in  bringing  about 
this  condition,  and  the  discontinuance  of  either  or  both,  will  often  leave 
no  necessity  for  special  treatment. 

Contused  or  lacerated  wounds. — These  are  usually  caused  by  a  blow 
with  some  blunt  instrument,  the  breaking  of  the  flooring,  or  an  animal 
getting  one  of  its  limbs  through  or  over  the  partition  between  the  stalls. 
The  seriousness  depends  largely  on  the  depth  of  the  injury,  and  treat- 
ment should  be  directed  to  allaying  the  inflammation  and  preventing 
the  consequent  tendency  to  sloughing.  To  this  end  soothing  applica- 
tions, such  as  fomentations  and  poultices,  are  plainly  indicated. 

Methods  of  healing. — These  may  technically  be  divided  into  a  num.* 
ber  of  distinct  processes,  but  practically  we  may  speak  of  them  as  two 
only,  viz.,  by  primary  union  or  adhesion,  and  by  granulation.  As  sup- 
puration is  not  so  liable  to  occur  in  the  ox  as  in  the  horse,  healing  by 
the  former  and  more  speedy  process  is  much  more  common  in  the  first 
named  species,  more  particularly  in  clean  cut  or  incised  wounds,  pro- 
vided they  have  been  stitched  within  twelve  hours  from  the  time  the 
injury  which  caused  them  was  inflicted ;  that  they  have  been  kept  clean 
and  that  the  patient  has  by  some  means  been  kept  fairly  still.  This 
latter  stipulation  is  probably  hardest  to  comply  with.  Quiet  is  an 
important  factor  in  the  process  of  repair  among  the  lower  animals  as 
well  as  their  masters,  and  the  rule  is  none  the  less  good  because  unfor- 
tunately it  is  more  frequently  honored  in  the  breach  than  in  the  observ- 
ance. Healing  by  this  method  is  in  some  cases  extraordinarily  quick, 
union  between  the  divided  parts  having  been  known  to  take  place  as 
soon  as  twenty-four  hours  after  their  adjustment  by  the  surgeon. 

The  second  method  of  healing,  namely,  by  granulation,  which  is, 
however,  the  manner  in  which  most  wounds  in  animals  heal,  takes  much 
longer  time.  In  punctured  wounds  of  any  depth  healing  necessarily 
takes  place  in  this  way  only,  and  the  treatment  should  be  directed 
largely  to  alleviating  pain  and  moderating  inflammation.  The  former 
can  be  accomplished  by  opium  applied  locally  in  the  form  of  the  diluted 
tincture,  or  given  internally  in  repeated  small  doses,  and  the  latter  by 
aconite  or  fluid  extract  of  gelsemium.  Twenty-five  to  thirty  drops  of 
either  are  given  at  intervals  depending  on  the  severity  of  the  fever  in 
the  drinking  water  or  dropped  on  the  tongue, 

After  treatment  and  dressing  of  wounds. — The  dressing  of  wounds, 
whether  they  have  been  attended  to  by  a  veterinarian  or  not,  is  a  mat- 


•SUUGICAL    OPERATIONS.  315 

ter  which,  in  case  of  animals  of  the  ox  tribe,  invariably  devolves  upon 
the  owner  or  his  employes.  It  must  not,  however,  be  inferred  from  this 
that  the  matter  is  of  secondary  importance.  The  dressing  of  wounds 
is  one  of  the  most  important  branches  of  veterinary  surgery,  and  one 
of  the  most  constant  difficulties  that  the  practicing  veterinarian  has  to 
<  niit!'iid  with  lies  in  the  want  of  appreciation  on  the  part  of  owners  in 
the  absolute  importance  of  care  and  attention  in  the  after  treatment  of 
wounds.  It  is  for  this  reason  that  the  writer  is  averse  to  closing  this 
portion  of  his  task  without  pointedly  calling  attention  to  the  fact  that 
it  is  very  largely  to  skillful,  patient,  and  careful  dressing  that  satisfac- 
tory recovery  from  most  serious  accidents  is  due,  and  this  unswerving 
vigilance  and  solicitude  I  would  bespeak  not  only  for  the  injured  parts, 
but  for  the  general  care  of  the  animal  and  its  surroundings. 

The  first  and  foremost  consideration  in  the  dressing  of  a  wound  is 
the  observance  of  scrupulous  cleanliness.  The  most  subtle  medica- 
ments are  worse  than  wasted  if  dirt  claims  a  50  per  cent  interest  in 
the  business,  as  is  too  often  the  case  upon  the  farm  where  the  care  ot 
an  animal  is  relegated  to  the  ignorant  and  thoughtless  hired  help. 
Unless  an  animal  is  in  slings,  straw  and  other  foreign  bodies  as  well  as 
blood  and  necessary  discharges  usually  adhere  to  a  wound  when  it 
comes  to  be  dressed.  These  should  be  carefully  freed  from  the  wound 
by  means  of  a  sponge  dipped  in  a  2  per  cent  solution  of  carbolic  acid. 
The  sponge  should  not  be  brought  into  actual  contact,  but  should  be 
wrung  out  just  above  it,  the  water  being  allowed  to  trickle  over  the 
injured  part.  When  the  wound  and  the  parts  surrounding  it  have 
been  thoroughly  cleansed  it  may  be  dressed  either  with  the  "  white 
lotion,"  the  formula  for  which  has  already  been  given,  or  with  a  solu- 
tion of  chloride  of  zinc,  one  ounce  to  a  quart  of  pure  cold  water.  In 
cold  weather  the  parts  may  be  dressed  with  the  following:  Oxide  of 
zinc  ointment,  4  ounces;  compound  tincture  of  benzoin,  2  drams;  mix, 
and  keep  the  box  covered. 

A  single  fold  of  ordinary  cotton  batting,  gently  pressed  over  the  oint- 
ment, will  cause  it  to  remain  adherent  to  the  wounded  part.  In  super- 
ficial excoriate!  wounds  in  cattle  a  very  excellent  first  dressing  (after 
thoroughly  cleansing  the  wound)  consists  of  iodoform  (a  compound  of 
iodine  and  chloroform)  blown  on  to  the  wound  through  a  quill  or  a  folded 
piece  of  stiff'  paper.  This  should  be  followed  by  a  second  dressing  of 
pulverized  aloes  applied  in  the  same  way,  which  not  only  forms  an  arti- 
ficial scab,  but  possesses  the  additional  advantage  of  keeping  ofl'  Hies. 

There  are  many  other  applications  equally  simple  and  eflieaeious, 
such  as  perchloride  of  morcury,  one  part  to  eight  hundred  of  water; 
boracic  acid,  one  part  to  twenty  parts  of  water;  carbolie  acid  one  part 
to  water  thirty  parts, but  the  foregoing  will  be  found  as  good  as  any. 

No  good  purpose  can  be  served  by  applying  to  healthy  wounds  irri- 
tating mixtures  of  oils  and  acids,  and  an  owner  may  safely  make  up 
his  mind  to  the  fact  that  whatever  mixture  he  may  use.  no  matter  how 
successful  it  may  have  been,  he  is  pretty  sure  to  luwc  a  neighbor  who 


316  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

will  want  to  know  the  reason  why  he  did  not  use  something  else. 
Whatever  antiseptic  is  used  always  recollect  that  cleanliness,  rest,  and 
attention  constitute  50  per  cent  of  the  contest,  and  that  the  other  half 
may  safely  be  left  to  the  restoring  touch  of  nature. 

Barbcd-wlrc  cuts. — I  have  specified  these  simply  because  there  exists 
in  some  sections  of  the  country  a  fixed  idea  that  there  is  a  specific 
poison  in  barbed  wire,  causing  injuries  which  require  treatment  differ- 
ing from  that  which  is  applicable  to  ordinary  wounds.  Barbed- wire 
cuts  differ  from  ordinary  wounds  only  in  the  parts  being  often  lacerated 
and  torn,  and  the  treatment  already  indicated  for  wounds  of  that 
description  is  applicable  to  them. 

CASTRATION. 

Castration  consists  of  the  removal  of  the  essential  organs  of  genera- 
tion. It  is  performed  upon  both  the  male  and  the  female.  In  the  male 
the  organs  removed  are  the  testicles  and  in  the  female  the  ovaries. 

Castration  in  the  male  is  performed  for  several  different  purposes. 
It  may  be  necessary,  as  is  the  case  in  certain  diseased  conditions  of 
the  testicles  and  in  strangulated  hernia,  but  the  usual  object  of  the 
operation  is  to  enhance  the  general  value  of  the  animal.  For  example, 
if  the  animal  is  intended  for  burden  the  operation  will  better  fit  him  for 
his  work  by  so  modifying  his  temperament  and  physical  condition  that 
he  may  be  easily  controlled  by  his  master.  Again,  if  he  is  merely  to  be 
used  for  beef  purposes  the  operation  will  improve  the  quality  of  the  flesh. 

The  operation  upon  the  female  may  be  performed  on  account  of 
diseased  conditions,  but  I  may  say  that  the  chief  object  of  the  opera- 
tion is  to  make  the  animal  one  of  more  profit  to  its  owner  by  altering 
the  lacteal  secretion  and  also  the  physical  condition.  Advocates  of 
this  operation  claim  that  a  spayed  cow  will  milk  under  favorable  condi- 
tions for  a  number  of  years  continuously,  and  that  the  milk  is  greatly 
increased  in  richness.  Careful  tests,  however,  indicate  that  the  value 
of  this  operation  with  dairy  cows  has  been  exaggerated.  When  the  cow 
is  spayed  it  does  away  with  all  trouble  attending  03 strum  or  heat,  gesta- 
tion and  parturition  with  its  accidents  and  ailments.  The  flesh  of  the 
spayed  cow  is  more  tender  and  juicy  than  that  of  the  entire  animal. 

The  operation  upon  the  male  may  be  either  the  uncovered  or  the  cov- 
ered. In  the  former  the  incision  is  made  down  to  the  testicle  proper, 
and  in  the  latter  you  cut  through  the  scrotum  or  the  outside  covering 
and  through  the  dartos  or  the  next  coat,  being  careful  to  cut  no  deeper 
tissues  or  coats.  The  age  at  which  .the  operation  is  performed  varies, 
but  usually  it  is  performed  between  the  second  and  third  month.  If  done 
in  early  life  there  is  less  danger  of  complications,  the  organs  not  being 
fully  developed  and  in  a  latent  condition.  There  are  many  different  meth- 
ods of  operating,  the  principal  ones  of  which  I  will  mention.  In  the  uncov- 
ered operation  a  good  free  incision  should  be  made,  exposing  the  testicle 
completely.  Now  it  may  be  removed  by  simply  cutting  it  off.  The  only 
danger  of  doing  this  is  the  hemorrhage  which  is  likely  to  follow.  To  obvi- 


SURGICAL    OPERATIONS.  317 

ate  this  before  the  division  of  the  spermatic  cord  it  should  be  twisted  sev- 
eral times  in  the  following  manner:  Take  hold  of  the  spermatic  cord  with 
the  left  hand,  having  the  cord  between  the  thumb  and  the  index  finger. 
Now  twist  the  free  portion  several  times  with  the  right  hand,  all  the  time 
being  careful  to  push  with  the  left  hand  towards  the  body  of  the  ani- 
mal. In  this  way  the  danger  of  injury  to  the  cord  during  the  animal's 
struggles  will  be  overcome.  The  hemorrhage  will  be  none,  or  very 
little,  if  it  has  been  done  properly.  This  is  the  most  simple  manner  of 
torsion.  There  are  forceps  and  other  instruments  made  to  perform  the 
operation  in  this  manner.  Instead  of  practicing  torsion  in  any  of  its 
ways  to  prevent  hemorrhage,  we  may  apply  a  ligature  either  directly 
to  the  spermatic  artery  from  which  the  hemorrhage  comes,  or  to  the 
entire  cord.  You  may  either  use  a  silk  or  a  catgut  ligature.  The 
actual  cautery  is  an  old  method,  but  I  will  not  describe  it,  as  I  consider 
that  we  have  better  methods  now.  The  next  method  with  the  clamps, 
although  extensively  used  upon  the  horse,  is  not  practiced  to  any  great 
extent  upon  the  bovine  at  the  present  time.  It  is  a  very  old  method, 
and  is  considered  very  safe.  Clamps  are  used  in  the  covered  and 
uncovered  operations. 

But  more  simple  and  better  methods  are  now  known  for  the  castra- 
tion of  the  bull.  A  more  modern  method  is  by  the  ecraseur.  The  chain 
of  the  instrument  is  placed  around  the  spermatic  cord  and  tightened 
so  as  to  crush  the  tissues  and  thus  prevent  hemorrhage.  The  clamp 
and  ligature  are  the  methods  principally  employed  in  the  covered  opera- 
tion, and  in  order  to  thoroughly  understand  this  procedure  it  will  be 
necessary  for  the  reader  to  have  at  least  a  crude  anatomical  knowledge 
of  the  parts.  The  former,  or  the  uncovered,  is  the  usual  mode  of  oper- 
ating, except  in  certain  abnormal  conditions. 

The  operation  of  "mulling"  or  crushing  the  spermatic  cord  is  an 
unscientific  and  barbarous  procedure,  causing  unnecessary  pain  and 
Buffering. 

The  above  methods  apply  only  to  tho  animal  in  a  normal  condition. 
Before  operating  always  examine  and  be  sure  that  everything  is  as  it 
should  be.  If  otherwise,  a  special  operative  procedure  will  be  neces- 
sary. Whichever  mode  of  operation  be  adopted  from  a  practical  stand- 
point, the  principal  precautions  to  be  taken  in  order  to  attain  success 
are  ns  follows:  First,  thorough  cleanliness  under  strict  aseptic  and  anti- 
septic precautions;  second,  »  free  and  boldly  made  incision;  third,  the 
avoidance  of  undue  pulling  or  tension  upon  the  spermatic  cord ;  fourth, 
free  drainage,  which  can  be  maintained,  provided  the  original  incision 
has  been  properly  made. 

CASTRATION   OF   THE   FEMALE. 

Orariotonty  or  spayiny. — Tho  operation  should  be  performed  when  the 
cow  is  in  her  prime  and  giving  her  greatest  flow  of  milk,  care  being 
taken  that  she  is  in  good  health  and  moderate  condition,  not  too  ple- 
thoric; or,  on  the  other  hand,  she  must  not  be  at  all  ana-mic,  and  also 


318  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

that  she  be  not  in  heat  or  pregnant.  This  operation  may  be  performed 
in  one  of  two  ways,  namely,  by  the  ilank  or  by  the  vagina,  each  opera- 
tion having  its  special  advantages.  In  the  flank  operation  the  animal 
may  be  operated  upon  either  while  standing  or  while  in  the  recumbent 
position.  If  standing  she  should  be  placed  against  a  wall  or  a  parti- 
tion, and  her  head  held  by  a  strong  assistant.  The  legs  also  must  be 
secured  to  prevent  the  animal  from  kicking.  A  vertical  incision  should 
be  made  in  the  left  Hank  about  the  middle  of  the  upper  portion,  care 
being  taken  not  to  make  the  opening  too  far  down,  in  order  to  avoid 
the  division  of  the  circumflex  artery  which  traverses  that  region.  The 
operator  should  now  make  an  opening  through  the  peritoneum,  which 
is  best  done  with  the  fingers.  Next  introduce  the  hand  and  aim  into 
the  abdominal  cavity  and  direct  the  hand  backward  toward  the  pel- 
vis, searching  for  the  horns  of  the  uterus.  Follow  them  up  and  the 
ovaries  will  easily  be  found.  They  should  then  be  drawn  outward  and 
may  be  removed  either  by  the  ecraseur  or  by  torsion.  The  closing  and 
suturing  the  wound  will  complete  the  operation.  An  adhesive  plaster 
bandage  can  be  beneficially  applied. 

The  operation  by  the  vagina  is  more  complicated  and  requires  special 
and  expensive  instruments.  The  mode  of  procedure  in  brief  is  as  fol- 
lows: A  speculum  is  introduced  into  the  vagina  and  an  incision  is  made 
into  the  superior  wall  of  that  passage  about  2  inches  from  the  neck  of 
the  uterus,  cutting  from  below  upward  and  from  before  backward. 
Make  an  incision  which  should  not  exceed  3£  inches  in  length.  The 
next  step  is  to  get  possession  of  the  ovaries.  They  are  situated  in  a 
fold  of  the  broad  ligament  and  should  be  drawn  carefully  into  the  vagina 
through  the  incision.  Now  take  the  long-handled  scissors  specially 
made  for  this  purpose,  with  which  the  thick  border  of  the  broad  liga- 
ment is  divided.  The  torsion  forceps  are  introduced  and  applied  to  the 
broad  ligament  above  the  ovary.  The  left  hand  is  then  introduced  and 
the  thumb  and  the  index  finger  grasp  hold  of  the  broad  ligament  above 
the  forceps.  Now  commence  with  your  right  hand  to  apply  torsion  and 
thus  remove  the  ovary.  The  other  ovary  may  be  removed  in  the  same 
manner. 

•  The  operation  of  castration  is  by  no  means  a  serious  one,  and  when 
properly  performed  there  is  little  danger  from  complications.  Although 
the  danger  is  trifling  the  complications  which  may  arise  are  sometimes 
of  a  serious  nature.  Hemorrhage,  either  primary  or  secondary,  tetanus 
or  lockjaw,  abcesses,  hernia  or  rupture,  gangrene,  and  peritonitis  are 
the  most  serious  complications  that  follow  castration.  Whichever  com- 
plication arises  will  require  its  own  special  treatment,  which  I  will  not 
go  into  here,  as  it  will  be  fully  dealt  with  under  another  heading.  I 
might  add.  however,  that,  generally  speaking,  the  animal,  after  being 
castrated,  should  either  be  regularly  exercised  or  be  allowed  freedom, 
so  that  it  can  exercise  itself.  Drafts  of  cold  air  or  sudden  changes  of 
the  temperature  are  dangerous.  The  animal  should  be  fed  moderately, 
but  of  a  diet  easily  digestible. 


SURGICAL  OPERATIONS. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATES. 
PLATE  XXVI : 

Fig.  1.  ReufFs  method  of  throwing  or  casting  the  ox.    From  Fleming's  Operative 

Veterinary  Surgery. 
Fig.  2.  Miles'  method  of  throwing  or  casting  the  ox.    From  Fleming's  Operative 

Veterinary  Surgery. 
PLATK  XXVII: 

Fig.  la  front  and  Fig.  1  I  side  view  of  a  simple  tracheotomy  tuhe.     After  Arm- 

atage,  from  Hill's  Bovine  Medicine  and  Surgery.     This  tuhe  is  inserted  in 

the  trachea  or  windpipe  in  cases  of  threatened  suffocation  from  obstructions 

in  the  upper  portion  of  the  air  passage. 
Fig.  2.    Shows  the  tracheotomy  tuhe  applied  raid  held  in  position  hy  straps 

around  the  neck.   After  Arrnatage,  from  Hill's  Bovine  Medicine  and  Surgery. 
Fig.  3.  Represents  an  ordinary  fleam  with  hlades  of  different  sizes. 
Fig.  4.  Cow  prepared  for  hleediug.    A  cord  is  tied  firmly  ahout  the  lower  portion 

of  the  neck,  causing  the  jugular  vein   to  hecome  distended  with  hlood  and 

swell  out. 
PLATE  XXVIII: 

Fig.  1  and  2.    Setoii  needles.    These  may  he  either  long  or  short,  straight  or 

curved,  according  to  the  locality  in  which  a  scton  is  to  he  inserted. 
Fig.  3.  Various  forms  of  surgical  needles. 
Fig.  4.  Suture  forceps  or  needle-holder,  for  passing  needles  through  thick  and 

dense  tissues. 

Fig.  5.  Knot  properly  tied. 
Figs.  6,  7, 8, 9, 10.    Various  forms  of  sutures.     Fig.  6,  interrupted  suture ;  7,  quilled 

suture;  8,  uninterrupted  suture;  9,  twisted  suture,  made  hy  passing  suture 

pins  through  the  parts  to  he  held  together  and  winding  the  thread  ahout 

them  so  as  to  represent  the  figure  8;  10,  single-pin  suture. 
Fig.  11.  Appliance  for  ringing  the  hull,  one-fourth  natural  size. 
Fig.  12.   Nose  clamp,  with  spring  and  keeper. 
3^0  % 


PL  ATI:  xxvi 


2. 


DKVU'K's   R)H   (  .\STI\U  r  VI  I'll 


PI. ATI:  xxvii 


la 


TIfAl   IIKOTO.MY   A.\l>  VKXKSfXTIO.V 


PI. ATI:  xxvni 


v> 


8. 


10. 


'.K  Al.    INS'I  IM'Mli.M  s  AM)    SI    ITHI 


TUMORS. 


By  DR.  WILLIAM  HERBERT  LOWE, 

Superintendent  of  the  United  States  Xeat  Cattle  quarantine  Station  for  the  port  of  New 

York,  Garfield,  X.  J. 


Tumors  are  noninflammatory  new  growths  due  to  increased  nutrition. 
They  may  be  superficial  or  deep  seated,  external  or  internal.  From  a 
pathological  point  of  view  there  is  a  great  variety  of  tumors,  both  benign 
and  malignant,  but  in  this  chapter  it  is  my  purpose  to  describe  only  the 
more  common  ones  that  affect  animals  of  the  bovine  species.  One  of 
the  most  frequent  and  troublesome  tumors  of  the  nonmaliguant  class 
in  cattle  is  the  epidermic,  commonly  known  as  the  wart.  Warts  consist 
of  a  thickening  of  the  epidermis,  or  outer  skin,  produced  by  accumula- 
tion of  its  scales,  with  hypertrophy  of  the  papilke  of  the  true  skin. 
These  growths  generally  occur  in  young  animals  and  are  frequently 
seen  upon  the  under  surface  of  the  abdomen,  the  mammary  glands,  the 
genitals,  lips,  and  eyelids.  Their  removal  is  not  attended  with  danger; 
their  seat  should  be  cauterized  immediately  after  removal,  to  prevent 
their  return.  They  may  be  removed  with  caustic,  by  excision,  by  tor- 
sion, or  by  the  ligature,  the  method  being  determined  by  their  size,  con- 
formation, and  location  upon  the  animal. 

T\\ejibroma  or  fibrous  tumor  is  nonmaliguant,  and  is  principally  com- 
posed of  developed  connective  tissue.  It  is  usual  to  see  tumors  of  this 
class  in  parts  where  there  is  much  fibrous  tissue.  They  vary  greatly  in 
size;  sometimes  they  are  as  small  as  an  ordinary  wart,  and  on  the  other 
hand  fibrous  tumors  have  been  removed  that  were  many  pounds  in 
weight.  A  fibrous  tumor  develops  slowly  and  no  pain  or  tenderness  is 
likely  to  be  detected  unless  the  tumor  should  bo  accidentally  bruised  or 
otherwise  injured.  The  tumor  is  generally  hard  and  has  a  rounded  form 
and  may  be  contained  in  a  wall  of  areolar  tissue,  but  occasionally  it  is 
soft.  This  variation  is  principally  due  to  the  age  of  the  tumor  and  tho 
time  in  which  it  has  been  developing.  The  fibroma  is  not  by  any  means 
a  dangerous  tumor;  it  acts  mainly  as  an  inconvenience,  the  degree  of 
which  depends  upon  its  size  and  location.  However,  they  often  become 
very  large,  but  they  have  few  vessels  and  little  hemorrhage  is  likely 
to  follow  their  removal  with  a  knife.  Fibrous  tumors  are  often  due  to 
imprisonment  of  pus  in  the  deep  seated  muscular  structures,  which  may 
arise  from  undue  pressure  of  some  kind,  or  from  bruises.  Intelligent 
and  prompt  treatment  will  in  the  majority  of  eases  be  followed  by  grat- 
ify ing  results.  In  the  early  stages  iodine  may  be  applied  externally  or 
1>4097 21  321 


322  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

injected  into  the  substance  of  the  tumor.  Good  results  are  often 
obtained  by  the  application  of  stimulating  embrocations  and  by  suitable 
blisters.  Setous  are  sometimes  inserted  with  excellent  results;  caus- 
tics and  the  actual  cautery  are  also  occasionally  used.  It  is  my  exper- 
ience that  in  most  cases  where  the  growth  is  hard  and  of  long  standing 
by  far  the  best  treatment  is  by  extirpation  with  the  knife.  Although 
this  tumor  in  itself,  as  I  have  already  said,  contains  only  a  few  blood-  ves- 
sels, yet  it  maybe  located  upon  or  in  close  proximity  to  a  large  artery  or 
important  nerve.  Injury  to  the  latter  might  cause  loss  of  either  sensa- 
tion or  motion  to  a  part,  and  therefore  I  would  impress  upon  the  opera- 
tor the  importance  of  familiarity  with  the  anatomy  of  the  part.  If 
the  operator  knows  the  course  of  the  large  blood-vessels  and  the  nerves 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  tumor  there  is  little  or  no  risk,  provided,  of  course, 
that  the  knife  is  handled  with  dexterity.  The  sensibility  of  the  tissues 
may  be  lessened  by  injecting  a  solution  of  cocaine  with  the  hypodermic 
needle  into  the  substance  of  the  tumor  and  surrounding  tissues  a  few 
minutes  before  commencing  the  operation.  The  form  and  extent  of  the 
incision  through  the  skin  must  depend  upon  the  size,  base,  and  relation 
of  the  tumor.  A  straight  incision  prolonged  beyond  the  base  of  the 
tumor,  in  order  to  allow  greater  freedom  in  dissection  and  more  com- 
plete extirpation,  will  suffice  in  some  cases,  but  an  elliptical  incision 
should  be  resorted  to  when  the  enveloping  skin  is  in  excess  and  a  por- 
tion has  to  be  removed.  If  all  the  skin  is  to  be  saved  and  the  tumor  is 
large,  a  cnicial  T  or  Y  incision  should  be  made.  The  enucleation  of  large 
tumors,  especially  those  with  a  wide  base,  requires  time  and  care.  The 
flaps  of  the  wound  may  be  kept  apart  by  an  assistant  or  teiiaculi.  The 
tumor  itself  may  be  seized  by  the  hand,  forceps,  or  teuaeulum,  or  if  voln- 
minous,  apiece  of  tape  or  strong  ligature  thread  may  be  passed  through 
it,  by  which  it  can  be  better  held  and  moved  about  while  the  dissection 
is  made.  Hemorrhage  from  small  vessels  can  be  readily  suppressed  by 
compression  or  by  torsion  with  the  artery  forceps.  Hemorrhage  from 
larger  vessels  should  be  controlled  by  the  ligature,  which  is  the  safest 
method  with  vessels  of  any  size.  After  the  tumor  is  removed  the  wound 
is  closed  and  treated  as  any  ordinary  wound,  unless  the  extirpation  has 
not  been  completely  made,  in  which  case  caustics  of  varying  strength 
are  sometimes  introduced  before  the  wound  is  allowed  to  heal. 

Polypi  belong  to  the  fibrous  tumors,  and  may  be  defined  as  tumors 
attached  by  means  of  a  narrow  pedicle.  A  polypus  not  infrequently 
occurs  in  the  nasal  passages,  often  bleeding  readily  and  sometimes 
interfering  with  respiration.  A  polypus  also  sometimes  develops  in 
the  vagina  and  the  uterus  of  cows.  The  treatment  of  polypus  is 
removal  when  possible.  The  ecraseur  will  be  found  a  useful  instrument 
for  this  purpose.  After  removal  the  parts  should  be  frequently  syr- 
inged with  an  antiseptic  wash. 

The  lipomata  or  fatty  tumor,  consisting  of  fat  cells,  is  another  of  the 
noninalignant  tumors  which  sometimes  develops  upon  the  bovine  ani- 
mal. They  should  be  removed  when  possible,  whether  found  exter- 


TUMORS  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT.  323 

nally,  within  the  passage  of  the  vagina,  or  any  other  part  of  the  animal. 
In  most  cases  it  is  necessary  to  cauterize  the  seat  of  the  tumor  imme- 
diately after  removal. 

Cystic  tumors. — In  horned  cattle  immense  cystic  tumors  form  in  front 
of  the  knees,  caused  by  the  animal  being  compelled  to  lie  on  a  hard  floor. 
The  cause  should  be  removed  before  any  treatment  is  attempted.  The 
simplest  operation  in  the  vicinity  of  a  joint  must  be  performed  with 
extreme  care,  in  order  to  prevent  injury  and  traumatic  inflammation 
and  its  results.  In  the  cystic  tumors  of  the  knee  a  seton  can  with  safety 
be  inserted  through  their  substance,  after  which  a  bandage  should  be 
applied  to  prevent  the  animal  from  bruising  the  parts  whilst  lying  down. 
These  cystic  tumors  are  often  removed  in  this  way.  Serous  cysts  form 
in  different  parts  of  the  animal's  body,  including  the  thyroid  body  and 
the  facial  sinuses.  In  the  cow  small  ovarian  cysts  are  sometimes  a 
cause  of  nymphomauia.  There  are  various  other  kinds  of  cysts,  includ- 
ing cutaneous  and  hair-bearing  cysts,  the  complete  treatment  of  which 
the  limits  of  this  chapter  will  not  allow. 

Osseous  tumors  develop  in  the  neighborhood  of  joints  in  rheumatic 
affections.  They  result  from  the  ossification  of  exudate  which  has 
been  formed  in  consequence  of  some  inflammation.  Little  can  be 
done  in  the  way  of  treatment  beyond  the  actual  cautery  or  counter- 
irritation. 

Osteo-sarcoma  is  a  tumor  composed  partly  of  flesh  and  partly  of 
bone.  The  upper  and  lower  jaws  of  cattle  appear  to  be  peculiarly  sus- 
ceptible to  this  form  of  disease,  the  growth  having  an  irregularly  pro- 
tuberant surface.  (See  Actinomycosis,  p.  409.) 

Carcinoma,  or  cancer. — The  most  malignant  tumors  in  the  bovine,  as 
in  the  human  being,  are  beyond  doubt  the  carcinomata,  or  cancer  and 
its  varieties,  which  are  the  encephaloid,  scirrhous,  colloid,  cystic,  and 
epithelial.  The  various  forms  of  encephaloid  cancer  are  known  as  vil- 
lous,  melanotic,  and  fungus  luvmatodes.  The  favorite  seat  of  cancer  in 
the  ox  seems  to  be  the  maxilla,  although  the  tongue  is  not  infrequently 
its  seat.  When  the  heart  is  affected  it  is  almost  always  secondarily. 

In  the  early  stages  of  cancer  the  general  health  is  not  perceptibly 
affected, but  as  the  disease  advances  the  lymphatics  and  glands  become 
involved.  If  discovered  in  the  early  stages  excision  of  the  tumor  may 
be  performed,  but  if  the  disease  has  progressed  to  any  extent  this  is 
not  likely  to  be  followed  by  beneficial  results,  owing  to  its  malignity 
and  tendency  to  recur.  Numerous  caustics  have  been  employed.  Such 
measures  in  the  ox,  however,  have  not  been  at  all  satisfactory.  an<l 
from  the  tendency  of  the  disease  to  recur,  and  owing  to  its  nature,  the 
affected  animals  should  not  only  be  destroyed,  but  the  flesh  condemned 
as  human  food. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  SKIN. 


By  M.  R.  TRUMBOWER,  D.  V.  S.,  Sterling,  111. 


The  skin  consists  of  two  parts,  the  epidermis  or  cuticle,  and  the  der- 
mis,  cutis  vera  or  corium.  . 

The  epidermis,  cuticle,  or  scarf  skin,  is  an  epithelial  structure,  form- 
ing a  protective  covering  to  the  corium.  It  varies  in  thickness,  is  quite 
insensible  and  nonvascular,  and  consists  of  agglutinated  cells  5  these 
cells  vary  in  form,  the  deep  layers  being  columnar,  those  above  rounded, 
flat  on  the  free  surface,  finally  dry,  desquamating  membranous  or  horny 
scales. 

The  epidermis  is  divided  into  a  firm  and  transparent  superficial  and 
a  deep  soft  layer.  The  latter  is  the  rete  mucosuni,  in  whose  cells  the 
pigment  exists  -which  gives  color  to  the  skin.  The  deep  surface  of  the 
epidermis  is  accurately  molded  on  the  papillary  layer  of  the  true  skin, 
and,  when  removed  by  maceration,  presents  depressions  which  corre- 
spond to  the  elevations  on  the  dermis.  From  the  cuticle  tubular  pro- 
longations pass  into  the  sebaceous  and  sudorific  glands;  thus  the  en- 
tire surface  of  the  body  is  inclosed  by  the  cuticle. 

The  dermitt,  or  true  skin,  is  vascular  and  highly  sensitive,  being  the 
seat  of  touch.  It  is  covered  by  epidermis,  and  attached  to  the  under- 
lying parts  by  a  layer  of  areolar  tissue,  which  usually  contains  fat, 
hence  called  pannictihtg  adipoftutt.  The  cutis  consists  of  fibro-areolar 
tissue  and  vessels  of  supply.  It  is  divided  into  two  layers,  the  deep  or 
tme  corium  and  the  upper  or  papillary.  The  corium  consists  of  strong 
interlacing  fibrous  bands,  chiefly  white;  its  meshes  are  larger  and  more 
open  towards  the  attached  surface,  giving  lodgment  to  the  sweat  glands 
ami  fat.  The  papillary  or  superficial  layer  is  formed  of  a  scries  of  small 
conical  eminences  or  papilla*,  which  are  highly  sensitive,  and  consist 
of  a  homogenous  transparent  tissue.  The  blood  vessels  form  dense 
capillary  ple.xuscs  in  the  corium,  terminating  by  loops  in  the  papilla*. 
The  papillary  nerves  run  in  a  waving  manner,  usually  terminating  in 
loops. 

Hair  is  an  appendage  of  the  skin  and  forms  its  external  covering. 
It  is  a  special  modification  of  epidermis,  having  the  same  essential 
structure.  It  consists  of  a  root,  shaft,  and  point.  The  root  has  a  bulb- 


326  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ous  extremity,  is  lighter  aud  softer  than  the  stern,  and  lodged  in  a 
recess  or  hair  follicle,  which  may  either  be  in  the  corium  or  subcuta- 
neous areola?.  The  follicle  is  dilated  at  the  bottom  to  correspond  with 
the  root-bulb,  and  the  ducts  of  one-or  more  sebaceous  glands  open  into 
it.  At  the  bottom  of  each  follicle  is  a  conical  vascular  papilla,  similar 
in  every  respect  to  those  on  the  surface  of  the  skin ;  this  papilla  fits 
into  a  corresponding  depression  in  the  root  of  the  hair.  The  shaft  con- 
sists of  a  center  or  medulla,  a  surrounding  fibrous  portion,  and  an 
external  coating  or  cortex.  The  medulla  consists  of  cells  containing 
pigment  or  fat,  is  opaque,  and  deeply  colored.  All  hair  has  not  this 
medulla.  The  fibrous  portion  occupies  the  bulk  of  the  stem,  and  the 
cortex  is  merely  a  single  layer  of  thin,  flat,  imbricated  scales. 

The  sebaceous  glands,  lodged  in  the  corium,  are  most  abundant  in 
parts  exposed  to  friction.  They  generally  open  into  the  hair  follicles, 
occasionally  on  the  surface  of  the  body.  Each  gland  consists  of  a 
small  duct,  which  terminates  in  a  lobulated  recess.  These  lobules 
vary,  and  are,  as  is  the  duct,  lined  with  epithelium.  They  are  filled 
with  sebaceous  matter,  which,  as  it  is  secreted,  is  detached  into  the 
sacs.  They  are  very  plentiful  between  the  claws  of  cattle. 

The  sudorific  glands,  or  sweat  glands,  are  situated  in  the  subcuta- 
neous areolar  tissue,  surrounded  by  a  quantity  of  fat.  They  are  small, 
round,  reddish  bodies,  each  of  which  consists  of  one  or  more  fine  tubes 
coiled  into  a  ball,  the  free  end  of  the  tube  being  continued  up  through 
the  true  skin  and  cuticle,  and  opening  on  the  surface.  Each  sweat- 
gland  is  supplied  with  a  cluster  of  capillary  blood-vessels  which  vary 
in  size,  being  very  large  when  perspiration  is  excessive.  The  contents 
of  the  smaller  ones  are  fluid,  and  the  larger  semifluid. 

The  skin  may  be  regarded  as  an  organ  supplementary  in  its  action 
to  the  lungs  and  kidneys,  since  the  skin  by  its  secretion  is  capable 
of  removing  a  considerable  quantity  of  water  from  the  blood,  small 
amounts  of  carbon  dioxide,  and  small  amounts  of  salts,  aud  in  cer- 
tain instances  during  suppression  of  the  renal  secretions  a  small 
amount  of  urea.  The  skin  is  also  the  chief  organ  for  the  regulation 
of  animal  heat,  by  or  through  conduction,  radiation,  and  evapora- 
tion of  water,  permitting  of  loss  of  heat,  while  it  also,  through  other 
mechanisms,  is  able  to  regulate  the  amount  of  heat  lost.  The  hair 
furnishes  protection  against  extreme  and  sudden  variations  of  tem- 
perature by  the  fact  that  liairs  are  poor  conductors  of  heat,  and 
inclose  between  them  a  still  layer  of  air,  itself  a  nonconductor  of 
heat.  The  hairs  are  also  furnished  with  an  apparatus  by  which 
the  loss  of  heat  may  be  regulated;  thus,  in  cold  weather,  through 
the  contraction  of  unstriped  muscular  fibers  of  the  skin,  the  hairs 
become  erect  and  the  external  coat  becomes  thicker.  Cold,  too, 
acts  as  a  stimulus  to  the  growth  of  hair,  and  we  find  in  consequence  a 
thicker  coat  in  winter  than  in  summer.  The  hairs  also  furnish  protec- 
tion against  wet,  as  they  are  always  more  or  less  oily  from  the  secretion 


DISEASES    OF   THE    SKIN.  327 

of  sebaceous  glands,  and  thus  shed  water.  The  hairs,  through  their 
elasticity,  furnish  mechanical  protection,  and  through  the  thickness  of 
the  coat,  to  a  certain  degree,  resist  the  attacks  of  insects.  Finally, 
the  hairs  assist  the  sense  of  touch. 

The  sweat-glands  are  constantly  discharging  a  watery  secretion  in 
the  form  of  insensible  perspiration,  and  by  their  influence  act  as  regu- 
lators of  the  temperature  of  the  body.  Hence,  in  warm  weather,  the 
secretion  of  the  skin  is  increased,  which  tends  to  prevent  the  overheat- 
ing of  the  body.  Sweating,  in  addition  to  regulating  heat,  is  also  an 
active  agent  in  removing  eftete  material  from  the  blood;  therefore  this 
secretion  can  not  be  checked  without  danger  to  the  animal.  If  the  skin 
be  cove- red  with  an  impermeable  coating  of  grease  or  tar,  death  results 
from  blood  poisoning,  due  to  the  retention  of  materials  destined  to  be 
excreted  by  the  skin. 

The  total  amount  of  secretion  poured  out  by  the  skin  is  not  only  modi- 
fied by  the  condition  of  the  atmosphere,  but  also  by  the  character  and 
quantity  of  the  food,  by  the  amount  of  exercise,  and  especially  by  the 
quantity  of  fluid  taken. 

The  sebaceous  secretion  is  intended  to  lubricate  the  skin  and  hairs. 
It  consists  of  soft,  fatty  material  suspended  in  water,  and  is  character- 
ized by  a  special  odor  peculiar  to  the  animal  by  which  it  is  secreted. 

I  will  not  attempt  to  classify  the  various  diseases  of  the  skin,  for  in  a 
work  of  this  kind  it  would  only  serve  to  confuse  the  reader. 

We  will  first  consider  a  class  of  diseases  which  are  of  an  inflamma- 
tory type;  next,  those  due  to  faulty  secretion  and  abnormal  growth ; 
then,  diseases  of  parasitic  origin;  and,  lastly,  local  injuries  of  the  skin. 

PKURITIS— ITCIIIXG. 

'We  will  consider  pruritis  first  as  a  distinct  subject.  It  is  not  a  dis- 
ease, only  a  sensation,  and  therefore  a  symptom.  It  is  one  of  the  symp- 
toms accompanying  the  majority  of  the  diseases  which  we  will  consider 
in  this  work.  It  may  truly  be  considered  ;v  neurosis,  or  increased  sen- 
sibility of  the  skin — hypi'i'a'xlhvxin,  dependent  upon  nervous  excitability. 
It  is,  then,  a  functional  affection,  nerve  disturbance,  unaccompanied  by 
primary  structural  changes  in  the  skin.  Nothing  is  seen  except  the 
secondary  lesions,  produced  mechanically  by  scratching  or  rubbing. 

There  are  various  fonM  of  itching,  the  result  of  specific  skin  diseases, 
where*  the  pruritis  is  ft  secondary  symptom.  In  anch  cases  it  should 
not  bo  regarded  an  an  affection. 

('nw*. — Many  cause*  may  induce  the  condition  which  we  recogni/e 
here  as  pruriti*.  The  mo*!  common  one  is  gastro-intesttnal  irritation. 
Thin  condition  is  often  witnessed  in  cattle  suffering  from  impaction  or 
inflammation  of  the  third  stomach,  and  has  been  called  ••  mad  itch,'1  from 
the  fact  that  the  affected  animal  manifested  a  mad  fury  in  rubbing  cer- 
tain portions  of  the  l»ody,  even  to  lacerating  the  skin  on  the  sides  of  tin1 
body  and  legs  with  the  teeth.  In  attacks  of  dysentery  I  hnve  nt»en 


328  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

cattle  rub  the  root  of  the  tail  and  buttocks  until  the  flesh  was  worn 
off  down  to  the  bones. 

Another  cause  is  found  in  affections  of  the  liver  and  of  the  kidneys, 
when  an  increase  of  effete  material  has  to  be  thrown  off  by  the  skin. 
Morbid  materials  circulating  in  the  blood  may  produce  a  tickling  or 
smarting  sensation  of  the  skin  in  their  passage  from  the  blood  to  the 
free  surface  of  the  skin.  Certain  irritating  substances  when  eaten  may 
be  excreted  by  the  skin,  and  coming  thus  in  direct  contact  with  the 
sensory  nerves  produce  itching.  In  another  class  of  cases  the  pruritis 
may  be  due  to  an  atrophy,  contraction,  or  hardening  of  the  skin,  when 
the  nerves  become  irritated  by  the  pressure.  These  conditions  may  be 
so  slightly  marked  in  a  thick  skin  like  that  of  the  ox  that  they  can  not 
be  recognized.  It  is  frequently  noticed  that  cattle  will  rub  themselves 
as  soon  as  they  pass  from  the  stable  into  the  open  air — changing  from 
a  warm  to  a  cold  atmosphere.  Again,  we  may  find  an  animal  which 
does  all  its  rubbing  in  the  stall.  We  may  look  for  lice,  but  fail  to  find 
them.  These  conditions  are  generally  attributable  to  high  feeding  and 
to  too  close  confinement.  They  may  be  associated  with  inflammatory 
irritation  or  not — certainly  we  fail  to  discover  any  morbid  changes  in 
the  skin.  There  is  to  some  extent  a  delightful  sensation  produced  by 
rubbing,  and  it  may  partly  become  a  habit  of  pleasure. 

Treatment. — We  must  place  our  chief  reliance  upon  a  change  of  food, 
plenty  of  exercise,  and  in  most  cases  the  administration  of  an  active 
cathartic — 1  to  li  pounds  of  Epsom  salts,  a  handful  of  common  salt,  a 
tablespoonful  of  ginger  or  pepper,  mixed  with  2  quarts  of  water,  all 
of  which  is  to  be  given  at  one  dose.  Afterward  half  an  ounce  of  hypo- 
sulphite of  soda  may  be  given  twice  a  day  for  a  week,  mixed  with  the 
feed.  For  an  external  application,  when  the  skin  is  abraded  or  thick- 
ened from  rubbing,  a  solution  of  borax,  4  ounces  to  the  quart  of  water, 
may  be  used.  Carbolic  acid,  £  ounce  to  a  quart  of  water,  will  give 
relief  in  some  cases. 

INFLAMMATORY  DISEASES  OF  THE  SKIN. 
ERYTHEMA. 

This  is  the  simplest  form  of  inflammation  of  the  skin.  It  consists  of 
an  increased  redness,  which  may  occur  in  patches  or  involve  consider- 
able surface.  The  red  coloration  disappears  when  pressed  upon  by  the 
finger,  but  soon  returns  again  after  the  pressure  is  removed.  There  is 
seldom  much  swelling  of  the  affected  part,  though  often  a  glutinous 
discharge  may  be  noticed,  which  dries  and  mats  the  hair  or  forms  a 
thin  scale  upon  the  skin.  In  simple  erythema  the  epidermis  alone  is 
affected;  when  it  becomes  chronic,  fissures  form,  which  extend  into  the 
coriuni  or  true  skin. 

Erythema  is  divided  into  Erythema  simplex,  E.  chronicum,  and  E. 
intertrigo. 


DISEASES   OF   THE   SKIN.  329 

Causes. — Erythema  simplex,  consisting  of  an  inflammatory  irritation, 
is  witnessed  in  very  young  calves,  in  which  the  navel  leaks.  The 
discharge  being  urine,  it  causes  an  irritation  of  the  surrounding 
skin.  Erythema  intertrigo  is  that  condition  known  as  chafing,  and  is 
occasionally  seen  on  the  udder  of  cows  from  chafing  by  the  legs;  chaf- 
ing between  the  legs  is  not  uncommon  among  fat  steers.  Erythema 
chronicum,  or  mainmillarum,  is  found  in  the  form  of  chapped  teats  of 
cows  and  chapped  lips  in  suckling  calves.  It  frequently  occurs  in  cows 
when  they  are  turned  out  in  winter  directly  after  milking,  and  in  others 
from  chafing  by  the  calf  in  sucking.  Some  cows  are  peculiarly  subject 
to  sore  teats.  The  fissures  when  neglected  in  the  early  stage  of  forma- 
tion become  deep,  very  painful,  often  bleeding  at  the  slightest  touch, 
and  cause  the  animal  to  become  a  kicker  when  milked  in  that  condition. 
Occasionally  the  lower  portions  of  the  legs  become  irritated  and  chapped 
when  cattle  are  fed  in  a  muddy  or  wet  yard  in  winter,  or  if  they  are 
compelled  to  wade  through  water  in  frosty  weather. 

Treatment. — In  ordinary  cases  of  erythema,  the  removal  of  the  cause 
and  the  application  of  benzoated  oxide  of  zinc  ointment,  carbolized 
cosmoline,  or  a  mixture  of  creolin,  1  ounce  to  a  pint  of  water,  applied 
a  few  times,  will  restore  the  skin  to  a  healthy  condition. 

When  there  are  fissures  the  zinc  ointment  is  the  best.  If  at  the  teats, 
a  milk  syphon  (Plate  xxiv,  Fig.  4)  should  be  used  instead  of  milking 
by  hand,  and  the  calf,  if  there  is  one  suckled,  should  be  taken  away. 
When  the  calf  s  mouth  is  affected  it  should  be  fed  by  hand.  When  the 
legs  are  irritated  or  chapped,  dry  stabling  for  a  few  days  and  the  appli- 
cation of  tar  ointment  will  soon  heal  them. 

URTICARIA — NETTLE  RASH — SURFEIT. 

This  is  a  mild  inflammatory  affection  of  the  skin,  characterized  by 
sudden  development  of  patches  of  various  sizes,  from  that  of  a  nickel 
to  as  large  as  the  hand.  The  patches  of  raised  skin  are  marked  by  an 
abrupt  border,  and  are  irregular  in  form.  All  the  swelling  may  disap- 
pear in  a  few  hours,  or  it  may  go  away  in  one  place  and  reappear  on 
another  part  of  the  body.  It  is  always  accompanied  by  a  great  desire 
to  rub  the  affected  part.  In  its  simplest  type,  as  just  described,  it 
is  never  followed  by  any  serous  exudation,  or  eruptions,  unless  the 
surface  oT  the  skin  becomes  abraded  from  scratching  or  rubbing. 
Another  typo  of  urticaria,  known  as  lichen  urtictitu*,  by  some  writers 
designated  pruriyo  rcrnalis  or  spring  itch,  is  manifested  by  the  erup- 
tion of  small  vesicles  upon  the  swollen  parts  of  the  skin.  These  dis- 
appear more  slowly  and  are  followed  by  loss  of  the  hair  of  the  affected 
areas.  This  form  of  the  disease  is  more  apt  than  the  former  to  become 
scattered  over  the  whole  body.  Its  duration  greatly  depends  upon  the 
presence  or  the  removal  of  the  exciting  cause*.  Occasionally  the 
relapses  are  so  frequent  that  it  finally  becomes  a  chronic  disorder. 

Games. — Derangements  of  the  digestive  organs  are  the  most  common 


330  DISEASES    OE    CATTLE. 

cau-f-.  such  as  overloading  the  stomacli  when  the  animal  is  turned  out 
to  graze  in  the  spring,  certain  constituents  of  food  and  high  feeding 
among  fattening  stock.  When  the  kidneys  are  functionally  deranged 
urticaria  may  appear.  Spinal  irritation  and  other  nervous  affections 
may  cause  it. 

Treatment. — Administer  a  full  dose  of  Epsom  salts.  Give  soft,  easily 
digested  food,  and  wash  the  affected  parts  with  a  solution  of  bicarbon- 
ate of  soda — common  baking  soda — 8  ounces  to  the  gallon  of  water  twice 
a  day.  If  it  assumes  a  persistent  tendency,  give  a  tablespoonful  of  the 
following  powder  in  the  feed  three  times  a  day :  Cream  of  tartar,  sul- 
phur, and  nitrate  of  potash,  equal  parts  by  weight,  mix.  A  tablespoon- 
ful of  Fowler's  solution  of  arsenic  may  be  given  in  drinking  water 
once  a  day,  if  the  case  has  assumed  a  chronic  or  recurrent  character. 

ECZEMA. 

Eczema  is  a  noncontagious  inflammation  of  the  skin,  characterized 
by  any  or  all  of  the  results  of  inflammation  at  once  or  in  succession, 
such  as  erythema,  vesicles,  or  pustules,  accompanied  by  more  or  less 
infiltration  and  itching,  terminating  in  a  watery  discharge,  with  the 
formation  of  crusts  or  in  scaling  off.  The  disease  may  run  an  acute 
course  and  then  disappear,  or  it  may  become  chronic  ;  therefore,  two 
varieties  are  recognized,  vesicular  or  pustular,  and  chronic  eczema. 

Causes. — Eczema  is  not  so  common  among  cattle  as  in  horses  and  in 
dogs,  in  which  it  is  the  most  common  of  all  skin  diseases.  Among  cat- 
tle it  is  occasionally  observed  under  systems  of  bad  hygiene,  filthiness, 
lousiness,  overcrowding,  overfeeding,  excessively  damp  or  too  warm  sta- 
bles. It  is  found  to  develop  now  and  then  in  cattle  that  are  fed  upon 
sour  substances,  distillery  swill,  house  or  garden  garbage,  etc.  Localized 
eczema  may  be  caused  by  irritant  substances  applied  to  the  skin — tur- 
pentine, ammonia,  the  essential  oils,  mustard,  Spanish  fly  ointment, 
etc.  Occasionally  an  eruption  with  vesiculation  of  the  skin  has  been 
induced  by  the  excessive  use  of  mercurial  preparations  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  lice. 

Symptoms. — In  accordance  with  the  variety  of  symptoms  during  the 
progress  of  the  disease  we  may  divide  it  into  different  stages  or  periods. 

(1)  Swelling  and  increased  heat  of  the  skin;  the  formation  of  vesicles, 
which  are  circumscribed,  rounded  elevations  of  the  epidermis,  varying 
in  size  from  a  pin  head  to  a  split  pea,  containing  a  clear,  watery  fluid; 

(2)  exudation  of  a  watery,  glutinous  fluid,  formation  of  crusts,  and  some- 
times suppuration,  or  the  formation  of  vesicles  containing  pus  (pus- 
tules); (3)  scaling  off  (desquamation),  with  redness,  and  thickening  of 
the  skin.     From  the  very  beginning  of  the  disease  the  animal  will  com- 
mence to  rub  the  affected  parts,  hence  the  various  stages  may  not 
always  be  easily  recognized,  as  the  rubbing  will  produce  more  or  less 
abrasion,  thus  leaving  the  skin  raw — sometimes  bleeding.    Neither  do 
these  symptoms  always  occur  in  regular  succession,  for  in  some  cases 


DISEASES   OF   THE   SKIN.  331 

ill--  exudation  will  be  most  prominent,  being  very  profuse,  and  serve  to 
spread  tin*  disorder  over  a  large  surface.  In  other  cases  the  formation 
of  incrustations,  or  rawness  (,f  the  skin,  will  be  the  most  striking-  fea- 
iii;v.  The  disease  may  be  limited  to  certain  small  areas,  or  it  may  be 
diffused  over  the  greater  part  of  the  body ;  the  vesicles  or  pustules  may 
be  scattered  in  small  clusters,  or  a  large  number  run  together.  The 
chronic  form  is  really  only  a  prolongation  of  the  disease,  SUCCCSMV. 
crops  of  pustules  appearing  on  various  portions  of  the  body,  frequently 
invading  fresh  sections  of  the  skin,  while  the  older  surfaces  form  scabs 
or  crusts  upon  the  raw,  indurated  skin. 

Jn  old  standing  cases  the  skin  will  break,  forming  fissures,  especially 
on  portions  of  the  body  that  bend — the  neck  and  limbs.  Thus  the  dis- 
ease may  be  prolonged  indefinitely.  When  eczema  reaches  its  latest 
period,  either  acute  or  chronic,  desquamatiou  of  the  affected  parts  is 
the  most  prominent  feature.  The  formation  and  shedding  of  these  suc- 
cessive crops  of  scales  constitute  the  character  of  the  disease  frequently 
denominated  psoriasis. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  eczema  is  often  anything  but  a  pleasant 
task.  There  is  no  one  method  of  treatment  which  will  always  prove 
successful,  no  matter  how  early  it  is  begun,  or  how  small  an  area  is 
involved.  We  must  endeavor  to  remove  the  cause  by  giving  attention 
to  the  general  health  of  the  animal  and  its  environment.  Feeding 
should  be  moderate  in  quantity  and  not  too  stimulating  in  character — 
green  feed,  bran  mashes,  ground  oats,  clean  hay,  plenty  of  salt.  If  the 
animal  has  been  fed  too  high,  give  an  active  purgative — Epsom  salts 
prefen e,d — once  a  week,  if  necessary,  and  half  an  ounce  of  acetate  or 
nitrate  of  potash  may  be  given  in  the  feed  twice  a  day.  If  the  animal 
is  in  poor  condition  and  debilitated,  give  a  tablespoon ful  of  the  follow- 
ing mixture  in  feed  twice  a  day:  Powdered  copperas,  gentian,  sulphur, 
and  sassafras  bark,  equal  parts  by  weight.  If  the  animal  is  lousy  the 
parasites  must  be  destroyed  before  the  eczema  can  be  cured.  The 
external  treatment  must  vary  with  the  character  of  the  lesions;  no 
irritating  application  is  to  be  made  while  the  disease  is  in  its  acute, 
vesicular,  or  pustular  stage,  and,  in  the  chronic  stage,  active  stimu- 
lants must  be  used.  Much  washing  is  harmful,  yet  crusts  and  seale-s 
must  be  removed  in  order  to  obtain  satisfactory  results  from  the  external 
applications.  Both  objects,  however,  can  be  attained  by  judiciously 
combining  the  curative  agents  with  such  substances  as  will  at  the  same 
time  cleanse  the  parts. 

In  the  vesicular  stage,  when  the  skin  is  feverish  and  the  epidermis 
peeling  off,  exposing  the  exuding  skin,  an  application  of  boracic  acid 
solution,  2  drains  of  the  a-cid  to  8 ounces  of  water,  will  often  relieve  the 
smarting  or  itching,  and  also  serve  to  check  the  exudation  and  dry  the 
surface.  If  this  fails  to  hare  the  desired  effect  usecrcolin,  1  ounce  to  a 
quart  of  water  as  a  wash,  or  the  black  wash,  composed  of  1  dram  of 
calomel  to  10  ounces  of  linic  water.  Anvof  these  three  washes  may  IK? 


332  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

used  several  times  a  day  until  incrustation  is  well  established.  Then 
use  creoliu,  1  ounce  to  a  pint  of  sweet  oil,  or  the  benzoated  oxide  of 
zinc  ointment,  giving  the  affected  surfaces  a  thorough  application  once 
a  day.  When  the  eczema  is  not  the  result  of  an  external  irritant  it 
takes  usually  from  one  to  two  weeks  before  the  healing  is  completed. 

In  chronic  eczema,  where  there  is  a  succession  of  scabs  or  scales, 
indolent  sores  or  fissures,  the  white  precipitate  ointment,  nitrate  of  mer- 
cury ointment,  or  blue  ointment,  mixed  with  equal  parts  of  cosmoline 
or  fresh  lard,  may  be  applied  every  second  day,  taking  care  to  protect 
the  parts  so  anointed  that  the  animal  can  not  lick  it  off. 

In  some  cases  the  use  of  the  following  mixture  will  do  well :  Oil  of  tar 
one-half  ounce,  glycerine  1  ounce,  alcohol  1  pint.  Bub  this  in  after 
cleansing  the  parts  with  warm  water  and  soap.  The  internal  admin- 
istration of  arsenic  often  yields  excellent  results  in  chronic  eczema. 
Take  1  dram  of  arsenic,  1  dram  of  carbonate  of  potash,  1  pint  of  boiling 
water,  and  give  1  ounce  of  this  twice  a  day  in  water,  after  feeding. 

IMPETIGO   LARVALIS  AND   LABIALIS. 

Impetigo  is  an  inflammatory  disease  of  the  skin,  characterized  by  the 
formation  of  distinct  pustules,  about  the  size  of  a  pea  or  bean,  unat- 
tended by  itching.  The  pustules  develop  from  the  papular  layer  of  the 
skin,  and  contain  a  yellowish  white  pus.  After  reaching  maturity  they 
remain  stationary  for  a  few  days,  then  they  disappear  by  absorption 
and  dry  up  into  crusts.  Later  the  crusts  drop  off,  leaving  upon  the  skin 
a  red  spot  which  soon  disappears.  Occasionally  the  crusts  remain 
firmly  adherent  for  a  long  time,  or  they  may  be  raised  up  and  loosened 
by  the  formation  of  matter  underneath.  The  dry  crusts  usually  have  a 
brown  or  black  appearance. 

Causes. — Impetigo  larvalis  generally  affects  sucking  calves  only,  in 
which  the  disease  appears  upon  the  lips,  nostrils,  and  face.  It  is  attribu- 
ted to  some  irritant  substance  contained  in  the  mother's  milk.  Impet- 
igo labialis  et  facialis  generally  is  witnessed  among  grazing  animals, 
regardless  of  age,  and  it  especially  attacks  animals  with  white  hair  and 
skin.  The  mouth,  face,  and  limbs  become  covered  with  pustules,  which 
may  rupture  in  a  few  hours,  followed  by  rapid  and  successive  incrusta- 
tions; the  scabs  frequently  coalesce,  covering  a  lai*g-e  surface;  pus  may 
form  under  them,  and  the  whole  thickness  of  the  skin  become  involved 
in  the  morbid  process.  This  form  of  the  disease  is  attributed  to  the 
local  irritant  properties  of  plants  growing  in  the  pasture,  such  as  St. 
John's  wort  (Hypcrlcum  perforatumj,  smartweed  (Polygonutn  liydro- 
pipcr),  vetches,  honeydew,  etc.  Buckwheat,  at  the  time  the  seeds 
become  ripe,  is  said  to  have  caused  it,  also  bedding  with  buckwheat 
straw. 

Treatment. — Sucking  calves  should  be  removed  from  the  mother,  and 
the  latter  should  have  a  purgative  to  divert  the  poisonous  substance 
secreted  with  the  milk.  When  the  more  formidable  disease  among 


DISEASES    OF   THE    SKIN.  333 

grazing  cattle  appears  the  pasturage  should  be  changed,  and  the  affected 
parts  of  the  animal  thoroughly  anointed  once  a  day  with  sweet  oil,  con- 
taining 2  drams  of  carbolic  acid  to  the  pint.  This  should  be  continued 
until  the  crusts  soften  and  begin  to  drop  off,  then  the  parts  may  be 
thoroughly  cleansed  with  warm  water  and  soap.  Subsequently  apply 
the  white  precipitate  ointment  or  carbolized  cosmoline  daily  until  the 
parts  are  healed. 

ECTHYMA. 

This  is  an  affection  characterized  by  the  formation  of  one  or  more 
large,  isolated,  flat  pustules,  situated  upon  an  inflamed  base.  They 
occur  mostly  where  the  skin  is  thin  and  unprotected  by  hair  on  the 
udder,  inside  of  thighs,  and  on  or  about  the  external  genital  organs. 

Causes. — Disorder  of  the  blood  in  debilitated  conditions  of  the  system ; 
occasionally  as  the  result  of  septic  infection,  by  discharges  following 
imperfect  or  tedious  cleansing  after  calving. 

Symptoms. — Large  round  or  oval  flattened  pustules  form,  from  the 
size  of  a  pea  to  that  of  a  chestnut.  They  are  yellowish  in  color,  sur- 
rounded by  a  red  sensitive  margin.  Afterwards  the  pustules  become 
reddish  from  admixture  with  blood,  and  soon  dry  into  brown,  flat 
crusts.  The  duration  of  each  pustule  may  extend  over  a  period  of  two 
weeks;  meanwhile  new  ones  form,  until  the  cause  is  removed. 

Ecthyma  differs  from  impetigo  in  the  size  of  the  pustules  and  crust, 
and  differs  from  boils  in  not  having  a  core  in  the  center. 

Treatment. — General  tonic  treatment  internally.  Removal  of  offend- 
ing discharges  and  disinfection  of  the  affected  region,  by  frequent 
bathing  with  creolin,  1  ounce  to  a  pint  of  water.  Open  each  pustule 
as  soon  as  it  forms  and  cauterize  the  bottom  with  nitrate  of  silver,  or 
dilute  liquor  nitrate  of  mercury.  If  crusts  are  present  they  must  be 
soaked  loose  by  frequent  applications  of  oil  or  lard,  and  then  treated 
with  carbolized  cosmoline  until  the  skin  is  restored  to  health. 

PEMPHIGUS — WATER   BLISTERS. 

This  is  an  inflammatory  disease  of  the  skin,  characterized  by  succes- 
sive formations  of  rounded,  irregularly-shaped  water  blisters,  varying 
in  size  from  a  pea  to  a  hen's  egg. 

Ca  UHCH. — Obscure. 

Symptom*. — The  formation  of  a  blister  is  preceded  by  a  congestion 
or  swelling  of  the  skin.  Yellowish -colored  water  collects  beneath  the 
cuticle,  which  raises  the  latter  from  its  bed  in  the  form  of  a  blister. 
The  blisters  appear  in  a  succession  of  crops;  as  soon  as  one  crop  dis- 
appears another  forms.  They  usually  occur  in  clusters,  each  one  being 
distinct,  or  they  may  coalesce.  Each  erop  usually  runs  its  course  in  a 
week.  Itching  or  burning  sensations  attend  this  disease,  which  cause 
the  animal  to  rub,  thereby  frequently  producing  excoriations  and  for- 
mation of  crust  on  the  affected  region. 


334  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Treatment. — Give  a  tablespoonful  of  the  following  mixture  in  feed 
twice  a  day :  Saltpeter,  cream  of  tartar,  and  sulphur,  equal  parts  by 
weight.  The  blisters  should  be  opened  as  soon  as  formed,  to  allow  the 
escape  of  the  serum,  then  apply  a  wash  composed  of  chloride  of  zinc,  1 
dram  to  15  ounces  of  water.  When  there  is  any  formation  of  crusts 
apply  carbolized  cosmoliue. 

FURUNCULUS — BOILS. 

This  is  an  acute  affection  of  the  skin,  usually  involving  its  whole 
thickness,  characterized  by  the  formation  of  one  or  more  abscesses,  orig- 
inating generally  in  a  sebaceous  gland,  sweat-gland,  or  hair  follicle. 
They  usually  terminate  by  absorption,  or  by  the  formation  of  a  central 
core,  which  sloughs  out,  leaving  a  deep  round  cavity  that  soon  heals. 

Causes. — Impoverished  state  of  the  blood,  the  result  of  kidney  dis- 
eases, or  of  local  friction,  or  contusions. 

Symptoms. — Boils  in  cattle  usually  appear  singly,  not  in  clusters; 
they  may  attain  the  size  of  a  hen's  egg.  The  abscess  begins  as  a  small 
round  nodule,  painful  to  pressure,  gradually  increases  in  size  until  death 
of  the  central  portion  takes  place,  then  the  surface  of  the  skin  gives 
way  to  internal  pressure,  and  the  core  is  released  and  expelled.  Con- 
stitutional symptoms  are  generally  absent,  unless  the  boils  occur  in 
considerable  numbers,  or  by  their  size  involve  a  great  amount  of  tissue.  - 

Treatment. — Poulticing  to  ripen  the  abscess.  If  this  can  not  be 
done,  apply  coinphorated  oil  two  or  three  times  a  day  until  the  core  is 
formed.  As  soon  as  the  central  or  most  prominent  part  becomes  soft, 
the  abscess  should  be  opened  to  release  the  core.  Then  use  carbolized 
cosnioliue  once  a  day  until  the  healing  is  completed.  If  the  animal  is 
in  poor  condition  give  tonics — copperas,  gentian,  ginger,  and  sulphur, 
equal  parts  by  weight,  one  tablespooiiful  twice  a  day.  If  the  animal 
manifests  a  feverish  condition  of  the  system,  administer  half  an  ounce 
of  saltpeter  twice  a  day,  continuing  it  several  days  or  a  week. 

FAULTY  SECRETIONS  AND  ABNORMAL  GROWTHS  OF  THE  SKIN. 
PITYRIASIS — SEBORRHCEA — DANDRUFF  — SCURF. 

This  is  a  condition  characterized  by  an  excessive  secretion  of  sebace- 
ous matter,  forming  upon  the  skin  in  small  crusts  or  scales. 

Causes. — It  is  due  to  a  functional  derangement  of  the  sebaceous 
glands,  usually  accompanied  by  dryness  and  loss  of  pliancy  of  the  skin. 
The  animal  is  hidebound,  as  it  is  commonly  termed,  thin  in  flesh, 
inclined  to  rub,  and  very  frequently  lousy.  The  condition  is  observed 
most  often  towards  the  spring  of  the  year.  Animals  that  are  contin- 
ually housed,  the  skins  of  which  receive  no  cleaning,  generally  present 
a  coat  filled  with  fine  scales,  composed  of  epithelium  from  the  epider- 
mis and  dried  sebaceous  matter.  This,  however,  is  a  physiological  con- 
dition, and  compatible  with  perfect  health. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    &KIN. 

Symptoms. — J'ityviasis  may  affect  tlic  greater  portion  of  the  body, 
though  usually  only  certain  parts  are  affected— the  ears,  neck,  ruiup, 
etc.  The  skin  becomes  scurfy,  the  hairy  coat  filled  with  bran-like, 
gray,  or  whitish  scales. 

Treatment. — Nutritious  food,  such  as  oil-cake  meal,  brau,  ground  oats, 
and  clean  hay.  In  the  spring  it  generally  disappears  after  the  animal 
is  turned  out  to  pasture.  When  liee  are  present  they  should  be 
destroyed. 

ELEPHANTIASIS — SCLERODERXA. 

This  condition  consist  s  in  a  chronic  thickening  of  the  skin,  which  may 
affect  one  or  more  limbs,  or  involve  the  whole  integument.  It  is  char- 
acterized by  recurrent  attacks  of  swelling  of  the  skin  and  subcutane- 
ous areolar  tissue.  After  each  attack  the  affected  parts  remain  infil- 
trated to  a  larger  extent  than  before,  until  finally  the  skin  may  attain 
a  thickness  of  an  inch,  become  wrinkled  and  fissured.  This  disease  is 
confined  to  hot  climates.  The  predisposing  cause  is  unknown. 

CEBElttA — ANASARCA  OF   THE   SKIN. 

This  is  a  dropsical  condition  of  the  skin  and  subcutaneous  areolar 
tissue,  characterized  by  pitting  under  pressure,  the  fingers  leaving  a 
dent  which  remains  a  short  time. 

Cause*. — (Edema  generally  results  from  a  weakened  state  of  the  sys- 
tem, arising  from  previous  disease.  It  may  also  be  dependent  upon  a 
functional  derangement  of  the  kidneys.  Occasionally  I  have  seen  very 
large  o?dematous  swellings  beneath  the  lower  jaw  without  being  able 
to  discover  the  cause. 

Symptom*. — Sudden  painless  swelling  of  a  limb,  udder,  lower  surface 
of  abdomen,  or  lower  jaw  becomes  apparent.  This  may  increase  in 
dimensions  for  several  days,  or  may  attain  its  maximum  in  less  than 
twenty-four  hours.  Unless  complicated  with  some  acute  disease  of  a 
specific  character,  there  is  not  ranch  if  any  constitutional  disturbance. 
The  deep  layer  of  the  skin  is  infiltfated  with  serum,  which  gives  it  the 
characteristic  condition  of  pitting  under  pressure. 

Treatment. — "When  the  cause  can  be  ascertained  and  removed,  we 
will  have  a  reasonable  expectation  of  seeing  the  cudema  disapjtear. 
When  no  direct  specific  cause  can  bo  discovered,  and  the  animal  is 
debilitated,  give  general  tonics.  If,  on  the  contrary,  it  is  in  good  flesh, 
give  a  purgative,  followed  by  half  an  ounce  of  acetate  of  potash  twice  a 
day.  External  applications  are  useless. 

(Edema  may  be  distinguished  from  erysipelas  or  anthrax  by  the 
absence  of  jiain  and  fever. 

DERMAPILOfS    AND    SEBACEOUS   CYSTS — WENS. 

A  dermapikms  cyst  is  formed  by  nn  involution  of  the  skin,  with  a 
growth  of  hair  on  the  inner  wall  of  the  sac.  It  may  become  imbedded 
deeply  in  the  tissue*  mtlxmtancously,  or  may  just  ]>cnetrate  the  thick- 


336  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

ness  of  the  skin,  where  it  is  movable  and  painless.  They  are  generally 
found  within  the  ear  or  at  its  base,  although  they  may  form  on  any 
part  of  the  body.  Usually  they  have  a  small  opening,  from  which  a 
thick,  cheesy  matter  can  be  squeezed  out.  The  rational  treatment  is 
to  dissect  them  out. 

Sebaceous  cysts  appear  not  unlike  the  former.  They  are  formed  by  a 
dilatation  of  the  hair  follicle  and  sebaceous  duct  within  the  skin,  and 
contain  a  gray  or  yellowish  sebaceous  mass.  The  tumor  may  attain 
the  size  of  a  cherry-stone  or  a  walnut.  Generally  they  are  round, 
movable,  and  painless,  soft  or  doughy  in  consistency,  and  covered  with 
skin  and  hair.  They  develop  slowly.  The  best  treatment  is  to  dissect 
out  the  sac  with  contents  entire. 

VERRUCA— WARTS. 

Cattle  are  affected  with  two  varieties  of  warts.  One,  the  verruca 
vulgaris,  is  composed  of  a  cluster  of  enlarged  papilla,  covered  with  a 
thickened  epidermis,  the  number  of  papilla  determining  the  breadth 
and  their  length  its  height.  They  are  generally  circular  in  figure, 
slightly  roughened  on  the  surface,  and  spring  from  the  skin  by  a  broad 
base.  Occasionally  large  numbers  of  very  thin,  long,  pedunculated 
warts  grow  from  the  skin  of  the  ear,  lips,  about  the  eyes,  and  vulva. 
Another  variety,  the  verruca  acuminata^  sometimes  erroneously  denomi- 
nated epithelial  cancers,  are  irregularly  shaped  elevations,  tufted,  or 
club-shaped,  occasionally  existing  as  thick,  short,  fleshy  excrescences, 
giving  the  growth  the  appearance  of  granulation  tissue.  Their  color 
is  red  or  purplish,  and  oftentimes  by  friction  they  become  raw  and 
bleeding,  emitting  then  a  very  offensive  odor.  They  usually  grow  iu 
clusters  and  their  development  is  rapid.  I  once  treated  a  two-year-old 
steer  in  which  the  back  part  of  both  forelegs  were  covered  with  these 
excrescences,  some  as  large  as  a  goose-egg.  Many  of  them  presented 
a  raw,  "bleeding  surface;  others  had  a  perfectly  smooth  surface,  devoid 
of  hair.  •  % 

Causes. — An  abnormal  nutrition  of  the  skin,  determined  by  increased 
energy  of  growth  operating  upon  a  healthy  skin;  at  other  times  upon 
a  weak  or  impoverished  skin. 

Treatment. — When  they  are  small  and  pedunculated  they  may  be 
snipped  off  with  shears,  and  the  stump  touched  with  nitrate  of  silver. 
When  they  are  broad  and  flattened  they  can  be  dissected  out,  and  the 
wound  cauterized,  if  necessary.  If  they  are  large  and  very  vascular 
they  may  be  ligated,  one  by  one,  by  taking  a  strong  cord  and  tying  it 
as  firmly  around  the  base  as  possible.  They  will  then  shrivel,  die,  and 
drop  off.  If  there  is  a  tendency  to  grow  again  apply  a  red-hot  iron,  or 
nitric  acid  with  a  glass  rod. 

KELIS. 

Kelis  is  an  irregularly-shaped  flat  tumor  of  the  skin,  resulting  from 
hypertrophy — increased  growth  of  the  fibrous  tissue  of  the  corium,  pro- 
ducing absorption  of  the  papillary  layer. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    SKIN.  337 

Cawea. — It  may  arise  spontaneously,  or  follow  a  scar  after  an  injury. 

Symptoms. — Kelis  generally  appears  below  the  knee  or  hock.  It  may 
occur  singly  or  in  numbers.  There  are  no  constitutional  symptoms. 
Its  growth  is  very  slow,  and  seldom  causes  any  inconvenience.  It 
appears  as  a  flattened,  irregular  or  spreading  growth  within  the  sub- 
stance of  the  skin,  is  hard  to  the  touch,  and  is  especially  characterized 
by  divergent  branches  or  roots ;  hence  the  name  is  derived  from  its 
resemblance  to  a  crab.  Occasionally  some  part  of  it  may  soften  and 
result  in  an  abscess.  It  may  grow  several  inches  in  length,  and  encircle 
the  whole  limb. 

Treatment. — So  long  as  no  inconvenience  is  manifested  by  the  animal 
it  is  best  not  to  meddle  with  it;  when  it  does,  the  animal  ought  to  be 
fattened  for  beef,  the  meat  being  perfectly  harmless  to  the  consumer. 

PARASITIC  DISEASES  OF  THE  SKIN. 
SCABIES — ACARIASIS — MANGE — ITCH. 

Mange  is  a  disease  of  a  local  nature,  due  to  a  mite,  which  induces 
irritation  and  incrustation  on  the  surface  of  the  body  generally.  It  is 
always  contagious,  requiring  for  its  development  the  transplantation 
of  the  parasites  or  their  eggs  from  the  diseased  to  the  healthy  animal. 
This  disease  is  not  very  common  among  cattle  in  this  country,  while  in 
some  countries  it  prevails  as  an  epizootic.  Poor  hygiene  appears  to 
favor  the  extension  of  the  disease,  and  it  is  claimed  that  weakened  cat- 
tle are  more  predisposed  to  harbor  the  parasite  than  strong,  healthy 
ones.  It  is  also  more  prevalent  in  winter  than  in  summer,  and  in  the 
latter  season  sometimes  entirely  disappears. 

Cattle  are  afflicted  with  two  varieties  of  these  parasites.  They 
belong  to  the  class  Arachnidw,  genera,  Fsoroptes  (J)ermatodcctes)  which 
simply  bite,  and  hold  on  to  the  skin;  and  Chorioptcn  (nymbiotc.fi)  living 
together  in  large  families,  and  not  piercing  further  than  the  cuticle  in 
search  of  food. 

Psoroptcs  commit  nit  var.  6ort*  (Syn.  Dermatodcctes  communis,  Der- 
matocoptes  coinmftnis). — This  is  the  most  frequent  one  met  in  cattle. 
It  lives  on  the  surface  of  the  epidermis,  and  gives  rise  to  much  irrita- 
tion by  biting.  It  generally  chooses  the  regions  of  the  top  of  the  shoul- 
der and  root  of  the  tail  for  its  habitation.  From  these  localities  it  grad- 
ually extends  by  increase  in  numbers,  causing  intense  itching  and 
great  digress  in  the  affected  animal.  From  the  irritation  of  the  skin 
papular  nodules  appear,  which  develop  into  vesicles  filled  with  fluid 
and  rupture.  The  drying  of  the  exuding  fluid  forms  crusts,  and  these 
are  liable  to  bo  followed  by  ulccration.  The  hairs  may  project  up 
through  the  crust  or  fall  out.  In  chronic  cases  the  skin  becomes  thick- 
ened and  almost  insensible,  dry,  and  wrinkled.  As  it  is  easy  to  con- 
found this  disease  with  eczema,  our  sole  dependence  for  a  correct  diag- 
nosis rests  upon  the  discovery  of  the  parasite,  or,  at  least,  upon  positive 


338  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

evidence  of  contagion.  The  acari  can  be  detected  upon  the  hair  and 
surface  of  the  epidermis  by  the  aid  of  an  ordinary  magnifying  glass,  or 
they  may  be' seen  with  the  naked  eye  as  minute  white  points  moving 
about  Avhen  the  infested  animal  stands  in  the  full  glare  of  the  sun  on  a 
warm  day. 

Ghorioptes  symbiotes  var.  bovis  (Syinbiotes  bovis). — This  variety  of 
the  acari  rarely  affect  cattle.  They  generally  live  at  the  base  of  the 
tail;  through  neglect  they  may  extend  along  the  back  or  down  upon 
the  thighs.  This  type  of  mange  is  not  nearly  so  contagious  as  the 
former  variety,  though  in  all  other  respects  it  produces  similar  effects. 
This  variety  is  best  seen  by  picking  off  a  scab  and  laying  it  on  a  piece 
of  white  paper,  which  is  then  placed  in  the  sun.  The  next  day  the 
parasites  may  be  found  in  clusters. 

Treatment. — It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  cleanse  the  skin, 
removing  crusts,  etc.,  before  the  parasites  can  be  effectually  eradicated. 
For  this  purpose  use  soft  soap  and  warm  water,  and  give  the  animal  a 
thorough  scrubbing,  especially  in  regions  where  the  skin  has  been 
rubbed.  If  the  crusts  are  not  all  removed  by  the  first  washing,  apply 
sweet  oil  to  soften  them.  They  may  then  be  washed  off  the  following 
day.  To  kill  the  mites  apply  thoroughly,  with  a  brush,  the  following 
mixture:  Creolin,  1  ounce;  oil  of  tar,  1  ounce;  soft  soap,  £  pint;  sulphur, 
£  pound;  alcohol,!  pint.  Wash  it  off  in  two  days  with  soap  and  water. 
Three  or  four  days  later  a  second  application  should  be  made  to  destroy 
all  remaining  acari.  It  is  essential  that  the  stable  or  stalls  where 
affected  cattle  have  been  should  be  cleansed  and  whitewashed,  or  satu- 
rated with  sulphuric  acid  1  pint  to  3  gallons  of  water. 

PHTHIEIASIS — LOUSINESS. 

The  lice  of  cattle  are  of  two  kinds,  the  suctorial  lice,  belonging  to 
the  family  Pediculidra  of  the  order  Hemiptera  (sub-order  Parasita), 
which  are  found  only  upon  mammals.  The  other  variety — biting  lice — 
belong  to  the  family  Philopteridre  of  the  order  Pseudoneuroptera  (sub- 
order Mallophaga),  which  attack  mammals  and  fowls.  Those  belong- 
ing to  the  first  variety  are  the  short-nosed  ox-louse — Hcematopinus 
eurysternus — and  the  long-nosed  ox-louse — Hccmatopinus  vituli  (Syn.  H. 
tennirostris).  The  short-nosed  ox-louse  is  the  larger  and  the  harder 
to  exterminate.  It  infests  almost  exclusively  the  neck  and  shoulders, 
and  those  parts  are  frequently  worn  bare  by  the  animal  in  its  efforts 
to  rid  itself  of  these  tormentors.  The  full-grown  females  of  the  short- 
nosed  ox-louse  are  from  one-eighth  to  one-fifth  of  an  inch  long,  and  fully 
half  that  in  width,  while  the  males  are  slightly  smaller.  The  males 
have  a  broad,  black  stripe  running  forward  from  the  end  of  the  body 
to  near  the  middle  of  the  abdomen ;  the  females  have  no  indication 
of  this  stripe.  The  true  pumping  organ,  as  in  all  the  Pedieulidse,  con- 
sists of  a  slender  piercing  tube  which  may  be  greatly  extended  in  order 
to  reach  the  blood  of  the  infested  animal. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    SKIN.  339 

The  females  deposit  tlieir  eggs  on  the  hair,  attaching  them  very  near 
the  skin  by  means  of  an  adhesive  substance.  The  long-nosed  ox  louse 
is  the  most  familiar  to  cattlemen.  The  body  is  about  an  eighth  of  an 
inch  long,  and  not  more  than  one-third  of  that  in  width.  The  head  is 
very  long  and  slender,  and  no  eyes  are  visible.  In  color  there  is  little 
difference  in  the  two  species. 

There  is  but  one  species  of  biting  lice  known  to  occur  on  cattle,  the 
Trtchodectes  scalaritt.  This  is  very  common  on  cattle.  It  is  very  dis- 
tinct from  the  suctorial  species  in  appearance,  and  this  is  readily  recog- 
nized by  all  observers,  for  it  is  generally  called  "the  little  red  louse," 
in  contrast  with  the  blue  louse.  They  are  also  less  injurious  than  the 
former. 

The  biting  louse  possesses  a  inandibnlate  mouth,  or  a  mouth  provided 
with  cutting  and  biting  jaws.  They  attack  the  animal  along  the  spine, 
hips,  rump,  and  sometimes  the  neck  and  head. 

Symptoms. — Lousiness  generally  becomes  manifest  in  winter  and 
toward  spring,  when  the  animal  is  found  to  rub  the  infested  portions 
of  the  body,  occasionally^  to  such  an  extent  as  to  produce  excoriations 
of  the  skin.  It  becomes  thin  in  flesh  and  debilitated.  A  close  exami- 
nation will  reveal  the  true  state,  and  prompt  attention  is  advisable. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  does  not  vary  for  the  three  species, 
although  the  short-nosed  louse  is  the  most  difficult  to  destroy.  I  have 
been  most  successful  with  a  decoction  of  Cocculus  Indicus — fish  ber- 
ries. Take  a  half  pound  for  each  animal,  pound  fine,  then  add  two 
quarts  of  vinegar,  and  set  it  on  the  stove  to  simmer  for  an  hour.  Apply 
this  thoroughly  by  rubbing  it  well  into  the  hair  over  the  infested 
region.  This  will  not  injure  the  skin  or  sicken  the  animal,  and  it 
remains  effective  long  enough  to  kill  all  the  young  lice  as  they  are 
hatched  from  the  nits.  Prof.  Riley's  kerosene  emulsion  is  also  very 
effective,  and  is  made  as  follows :  Kerosene,  2  gallons;  common  or  whale 
oil  soap,  one-quarter  pound;  water,  1  gallon.  Heat  the  solution  of  soap 
and  add  it  boiling  hot  to  the  kerosene;  churn  the  mixture  for  live  or  ten 
minutes.  Dilute  the  emulsion  with  eight  parts  of  water,  and  apply  it  to 
the  animal  by  a  thorough  rubbing.  Fifty  animals  ran  be  treated  with 
10  gallons  of  the,  liquid. 

fESTRIASIH— WAHRLKH — (fRT'B   IN   THE   SKIN. 

Warbles  are  characterized  by  tumors  in  the  skin  along  the  back  and 
loins  of  cattle,  which  contain  a  grub  deposited  by  the  ffypodcrma  boris, 
or  gadily.  When  the  cattle  are  attacked  by  this  tly  it  is  easily  known 
by  the  terror  and  agitation  of  the  whole  herd.  The  unfortunate  object 
of  the  attack  runs  bellowing  from  among  the,  herd  to  some  distant  part 
of  the  field  or  the  nearest  water.  The  tail,  from  the  seventy  of  the 
pain,  is  held  with  a  tremulous  motion  straight  from  the  Imdy,  and  the 
head  and  neck  are  stretched  out  to  the  utmost.  The  remainder,  from 


340  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

fear  generally,  follow  to  the  water  or  run  off  to  different  parts  of  the 
field. 

The  larva  of  this  fly,  when  young,  is  smooth,  white,  and  transparent; 
as  it  enlarges  it  becomes  browner,  and  about  the  time  it  is  full  grown 
it  is  of  a  deep  brown  color.  The  larva,  having  attained  its  full  growth 
and  size,  effects  its  escape  from  the  abscess  in  the  back  of  the  affected 
animal,  and  falls  to  the  ground;  it  then  seeks  a  retreat  in  which 
to  pupate.  The  puparium  is  of  a  dark  brown  color,  narrower  at  one 
end  than  at  the  other,  flat  on  one  side,  and  very  round  and  convex  on 
the  other.  They  may  remain  in  this  state  for  about  six  weeks,  when 
the  fly  appears.  The  grubs  usually  escape  during  the  months  of  May 
and  June;  occasionally  as  late  as  September.  Sometimes  these  warbles 
are  very  numerous,  and  cause  a  great  deal  of  pain  and  uneasiness  in 
the  animal,  which  becomes  thin  in  flesh,  hidebound,  and  feverish; 
more  frequently,  however,  they  do  no  harm,  except  to  the  hides.  I  am 
under  the  impression  that  the  so-called  heel-fly  of  our  southwestern 
States  and  the  gadfly  are  identical.  I  have  never  had  an  opportunity 
of  learning  the  true  history  of  the  former,  therefore  I  can  not  be 
explicit. 

Treatment. — Whenever  cattle  have  these  tumors  along  the  back-  in 
the  winter,  it  is  advisable  to  enlarge  the  opening  which  already  exists 
and  press  out  the  grub,  or  it  may  be  caught  with  the  point  of  a  shoe- 
maker's awl  and  extracted. 

Since  writing  the  foregoing  history  of  the  development  of  the  grub, 
I  have  seen  an  article  written  by  Dr.  Cooper  Curtice,  published  in  the 
Journal  of  Comparative  Medicine  and  Veterinary  Archives,  Vol.  xii, 
No.  6,  in  which  he  details  quite  a  different  history  concerning  the  ox- 
warble,  viz :  He  discovered  that  the  Hypoderma  bovis  is  not  the  common 
species  of  gadfly  that  we  have  in  this  country,  but  that  it  is  the  Hypo- 
derma  Uneata  Villers,  which  is  common  with  us.  He  says: 

The  adult  fly  lays  its  eggs  somewhere  oil  cattle,  presumably  the  back,  by  attach- 
ing them  to  the  hairs.  This  attachment  is  admirably  outlined  by  the  structure  of 
the  egg,  which  is  similar  to  that  of  the  horse  botfly,  Gastrophilus  equi,  and  by  the 
structure  of  the  ovipositor,  which  is  not  adapted  for  boring.  While  some  authors 
have  contended  that  the  egg  is  laid  in  the  skin  others  have  conclusively  shown  that 
this  is  not  the  case.  *  *  *  Development  takes  place  within  the  egg  while  yet 
attached  to  the  hair.  *  *  *  From  this  point  on  my  version  of  the  life  history 
varies  from  that  of  others  until  the  larva  has  arrived  at  its  destination  in  the  cysts, 
under  the  skin,  which  open  to  the  air  through  the  hide.  *  *  *  It  has  been  stated 
by  various  authorities  that  the  young  grub  emerging  from  the  shell  bored  its  way 
through  the  skin  until  it  reached  the  subcutaneous  tissue,  and  thus  made  its  chan- 
nel. From  circumstantial  evidence  I  believe  that  the  embryos  are  licked  by  the  cattle 
and  swallowed,  or  lodged  in  the  back  of  the  mouth  or  oesophagus.  This  theory  is 
based  on  the  appearance  of  the  cattle  grubs  in  the  walls  of  the  oesophagus  in  No- 
vember, long  before  they  are  found  iu  the  backs  of  cattle  in  this  locality.  Later, 
about  Christmas  time,  the  grubs  appear  suddenly,  and  in  full  force  under  the  skin 
of  the  back.  At  their  first  appearance  under  the  skin  they  are  as  large  as  those 
found  in  the  oesophagus  at  that  time,  and  differ  in  nowise  from  them.  By  the  latter 
part  of  January  or  early  in  February  all  have  disappeared  from  the  oesophagus,  to- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    SKIN.  341 

gether  with  all  traces  of  inflammatory  action  in  that  organ  so  observable  in  January. 
The  earliest  grub  holes  that  I  have  been  able  to  find  are  very  uniform  in  size,  corre- 
sponding -with  the  caliber  of  the  grubs  contained  in  them,  and  had  no  appearance  of 
the  sac  which  forms  later.  The  walls  were  rough  as  if  gnawed,  and  the  hole  was 
cylindrical  to  near  the  epidermis,  when  it  suddenly  contracted.  Now  the  freshness 
of  the  wound  and  the  absence  of  inflammatory  action  is  a  very  good  index  of  the 
recent  date  of  the  wound,  for  when  the  wound  is  exposed  to  the  air  germs  are  sure 
to  enter,  a  sac  grows  and  secretes  pus.  Were  the  wound  of  a  more  remote  date  it 
would  be  of  quite  another  character,  as  every  pathologist  will  admit.  Just  preced- 
ing the  time  when  one  is  able  to  find  the  young  warbles  in  the  skin,  that  condition 
known  to  butchers  as  "lick"  appears.  The  "lick"  is  nothing  more  than  an  effusion 
of  serum  into  the  connective  tissue  membrane,  and  is  produced  by  the  inflammation 
set  up  by  the  wanderings  of  the  young  grubs.  This  effusion  can  also  be  found  in 
the  walls  of  the  oesophagus,  just  prior  to  the  final  disappearance  of  the  grubs.  The 
disappearance  of  the  "  licks  "  from  the  tissues  underlying  that  portion  of  the  hide 
most  infested,  the  saddle,  is  followed  by  finding  the  grubs  iu  sacs  in  the  first  and 
second  cutaneous  stages.  When  the  sacs  are  well  formed  the  "  licks  "  have  disap- 
peared. These  "licks"  are  said  by  farmers  and  butchers  to  be  caused  by  cattle 
licking  themselves.  It  is  easy  to  understand,  however,  that  the  cattle  lick  them- 
selves at  this  time  on  account  of  the  irritation  produced  by  the  grubs  in  piercing 
through  the  sensitive  skin.  The  appearance  of  "lick"  in  those  parts  where  the 
force  of  the  tongue  could  not  reach,  as  in  the  oesophagus,  an  appearance  which  has 
been  my  guide  to  the  grub  and  its  vicinity,  is  quite  good  proof  that  the  grubs  cause 
"lick." 

BUFFALO   GNAT — SIMULIUM  PECUABUM. 

This  is  a  small  fly  inhabiting  the  lower  Mississippi  Valley,  and  proves 
a  great  scourge  to  cattle  in  that  region.  The  term  buffalo  gnat  is  derived 
from  their  supposed  resemblance  to  that  animal.  It  has  a  large  hump- 
backed thorax,  with  a  head  supplied  with  two  antennae-like  small  horns. 
It  belongs  to  the  order  diptera,  family  nimulida:.  The  perfect  fly  varies 
in  length  from  3mui  to  4.5mm,  the  females  being  usually  the  larger.  They 
are  characterized  by  their  peculiar  short  and  thick  shape;  the  head  is 
bent  under,  and  is  nearly  as  wide  as  the  very  large  and  humped  thorax. 
The  thick  antenna;  are  composed  of  twelve  stout  joints;  the  four-jointed 
palpi  terminate  in  long  and  fine  joints;  the  posterior  shanks  ami  the 
first  joint  of  the  hind  tarsi  are  somewhat  dilated.  The  free  labrum  is 
as  sharp  as  a  dagger,  and  the  very  prominent  proboscis  is  well  adapted 
for  drawing  blood.  The  insects  possess  no  ocelli,  but  their  eyes  are 
large.  In  the  male  they  join  at  the  forehead,  but  in  the  female  they 
are  farther  apart.  The  mouth  organs  of  the  male  are  not  BO  well  devel- 
oped as  in  the  female,  being  soft  and  unable  to  draw  blood.  The  bodies 
of  these  gnats  are  quite  hard  and  can  resist  considerable  pressure. 
The  color  of  the  southern  buffalo  gnat  is  black,  but  covered  with  grayish- 
brown,  short,  and  silken  hairs,  which  are  arranged  upon  the  thorax  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  show  three  parallel  longitudinal  black  stripes. 
The  abdomen  is  more  densely  covered  with  similar  hairs,  and  shows, 
furthermore,  a  dorsal  broad,  whitish  stripe,  which  widens  towards  the 
posterior  end.  The  legs  are  more  reddish,  but  also  covered  with  hairs 
of  the  same  color  as  elsewhere.  The  balancers  arc  yellowish-white  and 


342  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  wings  ample.  These  pests  are  migratory,  or  are  driven  in  swarms 
by  the  wind,  hence  they  appear  in  localities  remote  from  their  breeding 
place.  They  have  been  seen  as  far  north  as  Jackson  County,  111.,  and 
Daviess  County,  Ind.  As  a  rule,  however,  they  are  restricted  to  the 
counties  bordering  on  the  Mississippi  Eiver,  from  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  to  Eed 
River  in  Louisiana.  Arkansas  appears  to  be  their  great  breeding  place, 
and  nearly  the  whole  State  is  more  or  less  afflicted  with  them,  especially 
along  the  streams  and  valleys.  Occasionally  they  extend  their  flight 
into  southeastern  Kansas.  Overflows  of  the  Mississippi,  occurring  in 
March,  April  and  May,  are  generally  soon  followed  by  dense  swarms. 
This  pest  has  been  known  as  far  back  as  the  earliest  settlements  of 
Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  The  appearance  of  the  buffalo  gnats  occurs 
each  year  with  the  continuous  warm  weather  of  spring,  when  they  may 
be  seen  to  gather  in  swarms  on  the  vegetation  along  the  confluent 
streams  of  the  Mississippi,  and  from  thence  are  drifted  about  by  the 
winds,  and  carried  sometimes  for  long  distances.  At  first  the  members 
of  a  swarm  are  very  blood-thirsty,  but  they  soon  begin  to  die  off  until 
all  have  disappeared.  The  duration  of  an  invasion  of  the  infested  region 
varies  from  a  few  days  to  five  or  six  weeks.  Cold  weather  renders  them 
dormant,  until  the  warmth  of  the  sun  revivifies  them  again,  while  very 
hot  weather  kills  them.  When  these  gnats  have  filled  themselves  with 
blood  from  an  animal  they  soon  die.  The  females  alone  leave  their 
breeding  place,  the  males  always  remain.  In  their  migration  they  select 
certain  places,  generally  low  and  wet  ground;  exposed  sunny  spots  are 
shunned.  Some  years  they  prove  very  disastrous  to  the  stockowners  in 
the  infested  regions,  and  as  they  do  not  appear  each  year  in  the  same 
place  they  often  swarm  in  upon  a  wooded  pasture,  or  attack  cattle  pass- 
ing along  the  road,  which  become  worn  out  from  the  attack  before 
they  can  be  brought  to  a  safe  place.  They  are  most  active  in  the  early 
morning  and  evening,  exceedingly  quick  in  their  movements,  and  almost 
noiseless.  When  they  are  very  numerous  they  cover  the  whole  animal 
without  regard  to  position;  thus  when  cattle  are  weakened  from  ex- 
posure during  winter,  and  by  scarcity  of  feed,  they  succumb  easily. 
When  cattle  are  attacked  they  attempt  to  run  away  from  them,  and 
generally  aim  to  reach  brushwood  or  thickets  in  order  to  rub  off  their 
tormentors.  If  near  water  they  plunge  into  that,  and  remain  in  it  until 
the  gnats  leave  the  place,  or  the  animal  becomes  pinched  with  hunger. 
Animals  which  have  a  smooth,  short  coat  are  not  so  badly  punished  as 
those  with  long  hair.  The  bites  of  a  few  gnats  will  not  affect  the  animal 
seriously,  but  when  attacked  by  swarms  they  rapidly  weaken  from  loss 
of  blood  and  shock,  and  may  die  subsequently  from  exhaustion  or  blood 
poisoning.  The  fatality  is  much  greater  among  mules  than  cattle. 
Their  mode  of  attack  is  to  follow  the  hair  to  the  skin,  plunge  their  stout 
beaks  into  it,  and  fill  themselves  with  blood;  they  then  drop  off,  and 
die  within  twenty-four  hours.  The  place  of  puncture  on  the  animal  is 
marked  by  a  drop  of  blood  which  oozes  from  the  wound.  Their  breed- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    SKIX.  343 

ing  places  are  the  tributaries  to  large  rivers  or  streams;  they  select 
places  where  the  water  runs  slowly.  The  eggs  are  deposited  \>y  the 
females  just  above  the  water's  edge,  upon  any  object  projecting  above 
the  water;  they  are  mostly  deposited  in  the  forenoon,  hatched  out  in  a 
few  hours  and  the  larvae  fall  into  the  stream.  These  larva?  congregate 
in  swift  water,  where  they  live  for  nearly  a  year.  Then  they  spin  a 
tough  brown  cocoon,  with  the  upper  end  open,  within  which  they  become 
transformed  into  pupa?,  and  in  about  ten  days  emerge  as  adult  gnats. 

Treatment. — When  an  animal  has  been  weakened  by  an  attack  of 
these  gnats,  give  from  1  to  2  drams  of  carbonate  of  ammonia  in  4 
ounces  of  whisky  every  four  hours.  Keep  the  animal  in  a  cool,  dark 
place.  Occasional  immersion  in  cold  water  has  been  beneficial. 

Prevention. — Smoke  from  fires  built  of  wet  wood,  burning  leather,  tar, 
rags,  etc.,  has  proved  the  most  practical  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  them 
at  a  distance.  As  soon  as  the  gnats  appear  build  a  fire,  make  as  much 
smoke  as  you  can,  and  drive  the  cattle  close  up  to  it,  where  they  will 
remain  as  long  as  the  pest  is  about.  Whenever  it  can  be  done,  stabling 
the  cattle  during  the  day  and  turning  them  out  from  late  in  the  even- 
ing until  early  morning  will  be  a  reasonably  safe  measure  to  adopt. 
Cotton-seed,  oil  mixed  with  tar,  fish  oil,  kerosene,  or  carbolic  acid, 
applied  to  the  cattle  twice  a  day  will  protect  them  to  a  very  great 
extent. 

H^EMATOBIA   3EBBATA — HORN-FLY. 

This  is  a  small  black  fly,  which  first  appeared  in  sufficient  numbers 
to  attract  attention  in  this  country  in  the  year  1887.  In  that  year  they 
appeared  in  the  counties  adjoining  Philadelphia,  Pa.  In  the  following 
year  they  extended  into  Maryland,  and  a  year  later  reached  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  and  Virginia.  They  attack  cattle  in  the  fields  by 
piercing  their  skin  and  sucking  the  blood.  When  they  are  present  in 
large  numbers  they  collect  upon  the  roots  of  the  horns,  along  the  top 
of  the  neck,  or  under  the  belly,  thus  proving  a  veritable  pest  among  cat- 
tle in  the  infested  regions.  From  the  fact  that  they  congregate  upon 
the  bases  of  the  horns  when  they  are  at  rest  they  have  received  the 
popular  name  of  " horn-fly ."  They  appear  with  the  warm  weather  of 
spring — the  early  part  of  May — and  disappear  after  the  first  severe 
frost  in  the  fall.  The  flics  are  observed  in  the  greatest  numbers  during 
July.  The  characteristic  habit  of  clustering  about  the  base  of  the  horn 
seems  to  exist  only  when  the  flics  are  quite  abundant.  When  they 
average  only  a  hundred  or  so  to  a  single  animal  comparatively  few  will 
be  found  on  the  horns.  Moreover,  as  a  general  thing,  the  horn-cluster- 
ing  habit  seems  to  be  more  predominant  earlier  in  the  season  than  later, 
although  the  flies  may  seem  to  be  nearly  as  numerous.  The  clustering 
upon  the  horns,  although  it  has  excited  considerable  alarm,  is  not  pro- 
ductive of  the  slightest  harm  to  the  animal.  The  flies  assume  two  char- 
acteristic positions,  one  while  feeding  and  the  other  while  resting,  h 
is  the  resting  position  in  which  they  are  always  found  when  upon  the 


344  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

horns.  In  this  position  the  wings  are  held  nearly  flat  down  the  back, 
overlapping  at  base  and  diverging  only  moderately  at  tip;  the  beak  is 
held  in  a  nearly  horizontal  position,  and  the  legs  are  not  widely  spread. 
In  the  active  sucking  position,  however,  the  wings  are  slightly  elevated 
and  are  held  out  from  the  body,  not  at  right  angles,  but  approaching 
it.  The  legs  are  spread  out  widely,  and  the  beak,  inserted  in  the  skin 
of  the  animal,  is  held  in  nearly  a  perpendicular  position.  The  fly,  before 
inserting  its  beak,  has  worked  its  way  through  the  hairs  close  to  the 
skin.  While  feeding,  however,  the  hair,  which  can  be  seen  over  its 
body,  does  not  seem  to  interfere  with  its  speedy  flight  when  alarmed, 
for  a  fling  of  the  tail  or  an  impatient  turn  of  the  head  will  cause  the 
flies  to  rise  instantly  in  a  cloud  for  a  foot  or  two,  returning  as  quickly 
again  and  resuming  their  former  positions.  The  horns  are  not  the  only 
resting  places,  for  with  the  horns  covered  by  them  for  two  inches  above 
their  base,  toward  nightfall  vast  numbers  will  also  settle  upon  the  neck 
where  they  can  not  be  reached  by  the  head  or  tail.  When  feeding  they 
are  found  over  the  back  and  flanks  and  on  the  legs.  During  a  rain 
storm  they  flock  beneath  the  belly.  When  the  animal  is  lying  down  a 
favorite  place  of  attack  seems  to  be  under  the  thigh,  and  belly  around 
the  bag.  With  certain  animals  the  dewlap  becomes  badly  attacked, 
while  in  others  this  portion  of  the  body  is  about  exempt.  Certain  cat- 
tle, again,  will  be  covered  with  flies  and  will  lose  condition  rapidly, 
w^hile  others  are  but  slightly  affected. 

The  amount  of  injury  done  by  this  pest  is  not  so  very  great;  it  is 
stated  that  the  flies  alone  will  never  cause  the  death  of  an  animal.  They 
reduce  the  condition  of  stock  considerably,  and  in  the  case  of  milch 
cows  the  yield  of  milk  is  reduced  from  one-fourth  to  one-half.  Their 
bites  seldom  produce  sores  by  themselves,  but  large  sores  have  been 
made  by  the  cattle  in  rubbing  themselves  against  trees,  fences,  etc.,  in  an 
endeavor  to  allay  the  irritation  caused  by  the  bites,  or  in  spots  where 
they  could  not  rub  by  licking  constantly  with  the  tongue,  as  about  the 
udder  and  on  the  inside  of  the  thighs.  These  sores  are  usually  difficult 
to  heal,  as  from  the  continued  irritation  by  the  flies  and  the  repeated 
licking  by  the  animal,  the  sore  is  maintained. 

Treatment. — Almost  any  greasy  substance  applied  to  the  skin  and 
horns  of  the  animal  will  keep  the  flies  off  for  several  days.  For  this 
purpose  common  axle-grease,  whale  oil,  carbolized  oil,  etc.,  may  be 
used. 

Prevention. — The  flies  are  propagated  from  eggs  laid  in  the  droppings 
of  cattle  by  the  female  flies.  Thus  a  new  generation  of  flies  is  pro- 
duced about  every  two  weeks.  It  is  recommended  by  Prof.  C.  V.  Eiley, 
entomologist  for  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  that  a  spadeful  of 
lime  should  be  placed  upon  each  dropping  of  the  cattle  in  the  field,  to 
destroy  the  larva?  after  they  leave  the  egg,  and  previous  to  their  trans- 
formation into  the  fly.  By  doing  this  twice  a  week  the  number  of  sub- 
sequent flies  could  be  materially  lessened,  possibly  the  pest  altogether 
eradicated. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    SKIN.  345 

TICKS — IXODES. 

There  are  several  species  of  ticks  that  attach  themselves  to  cattle. 
The  most  coinmoii  in  this  country  is  the  Boopliilus  bovis.  (Plates  XLIV.) 
They  are  most  numerous  on  uncultivated  land,  prairies,  and  woodland. 
They  attach  themselves  to  cattle  on  the  thighs,  flank,  and  neck,  where 
they  fill  themselves  with  blood  and  then  drop  to  the  ground.  They 
bore  into  the  skin  and  cause  considerable  irritation  of  the  parts.  They 
may  be  destroyed  by  the  application  of  oil  or  grease  which  kills  them 
by  occluding  their  breathing  pores.  When  they  are  carelessly  pulled 
oft'  by  hand  the  head  sometimes  bre  aks  off  and  remains  in  the  skin, 
causing  a  suppurating  sore  and  possibly  septic  infection  of  the  animal. 

FLEAS — PULEX  IRRITANS   AND   SAROOPSYLLA  PENETRANS. 

The  Pulex  irritanSj  the  common  flea,  penetrates  the  cuticle  with  a  pair 
of  very  fine  sharp  lancets  attached  to  its  head,  and  draws  blood  from  the 
animal.  They  become  annoying  to  cattle  when  they  are  present  in 
great  numbers,  and  cause  a  diminution  of  milk. 

The  Sarcopsylla  penetranSj  the  chigre,  met  with  in  some  of  the  west- 
ern States,  burrows  beneath  or  within  the  skin,  and  deposits  its  eggs, 
causing  the  animal  to  rub  the  parts.  A  small  vesicle  may  form,  suc- 
ceeded occasionally  by  the  formation  of  a  small  ulcer. 

Treatment. — When  fleas  or  chigres  cause  much  annoyance  to  cattle  it 
can  be  prevented  by  moistening  their  skin  every  morning  with  tobacco 
juice  or  carbolic-acid  water — 1  ounce  of  the  acid  to  2  quarts  of  water. 

FLIES   AND   MOSQUITOS. 

These  may  become  dangerous  to  cattle  in  sections  where  malignant 
anthrax  prevails,  as  they  may  be  the  carriers  of  poison  from  the  diseased 
or  dead  animal  to  the  healthy  one. 

The  tsetse  fly  (Qlosnina  morsitansj  of  Africa  is  very  destructive  to 
cattle,  their  sting  causing  death  in  many  cases.  Maggots  hatched  from 
the  eggs  deposited  by  flics  upon  wounds  frequently  are  very  annoying 
to  the  animal,  and  retard  the  healing  process.  The  maggots  from  the 
screw-worm  fly  (Lucillia  maccllariaj  burrow  in  wounds  and  cause 
increased  inflammation,  and  have  been  known  to  cause  the  death  of 
cattle.  When  maggots  or  screw  worms  appear  on  wounds  of  the  skin, 
be  they  deep  or  superficial,  no  time  should  be  lost  in  getting  rid  of  them. 
The  application  of  turpentine  or  earboli/.ed  water — 1  ounce  to  a  pint— 
should  \tc  used  to  destroy  the  vermin,  and  the  wound  afterward  cov- 
ered with  tar  to  keep  the  flies  away. 

RINGWORM— TINEA   TONSURAN8   AND   TINEA   FAVOSA. 

Ringworm  in  an  affection  of  the  skin,  due  to  a  vegetable  parasite. 
Tinea  tomtnrang  is  due  to  the  presence  of  a  minute  or  microscopic  fun- 
gus— the  Trichophyton  t<>iixitrnnn.  It  affects  the  hair  awl  the  epidermic 


346  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

layer  of  the  skin,  and  is  highly  contagious,  being  readily  transmitted 
from  one  animal  to  another.  This  fungus  consists  of  spores  and  fila- 
ments. The  spores  being  the  most  numerous  are  round,  nucleated,  and 
seldom  vary  much  in  size.  They  are  very  abundant  in  the  hair  follicle. 
The  filaments  are  articulated,  waving,  and  contain  granules.  This  dis- 
ease is  productive  of  changes  in  the  root  and  shaft  of  the  hair,  render- 
ing them  brittle  and  easily  broken  off. 

Symptoms. — This  disease  becomes  manifested  by  the  formation  of  cir- 
cular patches  on  the  skin,  which  soon  become  denuded  of  hair.  The 
cuticular  layer  of  the  skin  is  slightly  inflamed,  and  vesication  with 
exudation  occurs,  followed  by  the  formation  of  scaly,  brittle  crusts 
The  patches  appear  silvery  gray  when  incrusted,  and  are  mostly  con. 
fined  to  the  head  and  neck.  It  is  a  common  disease  among  young  cat- 
tle in  the  winter  and  spring.  Very  early  in  the  development  of  the 
patches  the  hairs  split,  twist,  and  break  off  close  to  the  skin.  This 
disease  is  attended  with  more  or  less  itching.  It  is  communicable  to 
man. 

Tinea  favosa  is  due  to  another  fungus,  the  Achorion  Sckonleinii.  This 
enters  the  hair  follicle  and  involves  the  cuticle  surrounding  it,  small 
crusts  from  which  increase  in  diameter  and  thickness  and  then  become 
elevated  at  their  margin,  forming  a  cup-shaped  scab,  the  favus  cup, 
which  gives  the  disease  its  distinctive  character.  The  number  of  these 
cups  varies  from  a  few  to  many  hundreds.  The  hairs  involved  become 
'  brittle  and  broken,  fall  off  with  the  crusts,  leaving  small  bald  patches. 
The  crusts  are  of  a  pale  or  sulphur  yellow  color  at  first ;  as  they  grow 
older  they  turn  darker,  or  to  a  brown  color.  This  form  of  ringworm  has 
a  peculiar  odor,  resembling  that  of  mice  or  musty  straw.  It  is  occa 
sionally  communicated  to  cattle  by  man,  mice,  cats,  etc.,  all  being  sub 
ject  to  this  disease. 

Treatment. — Remove  all  crusts  by  washing  with  soap  and  water,  then 
apply  acetic  acid,  sulphur  ointment,  or  nitrate  of  mercury  ointment 
once  a  day.  Cleanse  the  stable  and  whitewash  it  to  destroy  the  spores 
scattered  by  the  crusts. 

WOUNDS  OF  THE  SKIN. 
SNAKE-BITES. 

Three  varieties  of  snakes  are  poisonous  in  this  country — the  Crotalm 
or  rattlesnake,  Trigonoceplialus  or  cotton-mouth,  and  t\\e,Elapsfulvius, 
a  small  snake  of  the  South.  Snake  bites  on  cattle  generally  occur 
about  the  head,  feet,  or  limbs.  A  close  inspection  will  reveal  the  marks 
where  the  fangs  of  the  reptile  entered  the  skin.  When  the  poison  has 
been  freely  ejected  in  the  wound  excessive  pain  is  soon  manifested, 
quickly  followed  by  swelling,  which  diffuses  itself  extensively  over 
the  surrounding  surface.  The  tumefaction  is  doughy  to  the  touch 
and  of  a  purple  color.  Extreme  prostration  sets  in  and  the  animal  may 


DISEASES    OP   THE    SKIX.  347 

soon  become  partly  unconscious ;  the  body  becomes  cold,  and  the  pulse- 
l)t-;i us  almost  imperceptible;  finally  the  heart  fails  completely  and  the 
animal  dies.  Generally,  however,  the  poison  is  not  sufficiently  active 
to  cause  death,  but  the  recovery  from  its  effects  will  be  slow.  Large 
abscesses  and  sloughs  may  form,  wliich  will  require  along  time  to  heal, 
or  end  in  the  exhaustion  and  death  of  the  victim. 

Treatment. — Powerful  diffusible  stimulants  are  indicated  to  maintain 
life  until  the  first  impression  or  shock  of  the  poison  has  passed  away. 
For  this  purpose  whisky  is  given  in  pint  doses  every  fifteen  or  twenty 
minutes,  until  it  arouses  the  sinking  vitality.  Aqua  ammonia  in  1 
ounce  doses,  diluted  with  2  quarts  of  water,  may  be  substituted  for  the 
whisky.  External  treatment  should  consist  in  cauterization  of  the 
wound  by  plunging  a  red-hot  pointed  iron  into  it  as  deeply  as  the  situ- 
ation of  the  wound  will  permit.  Gashes  an  inch  long  should  be  cut 
into  the  skin  over  the  swollen  part,  for  the  purpose  of  draining  the 
blood  away  and  lessening  the  danger  of  extensive  subsequent  slough- 
ing. Afterwards  keep  the  parts  well  painted  with  tincture  of  iodine. 

VENOMOUS   STINGS. 

These  may  be  inflicted  by  scorpions,  tarantulas,  wasps,  bees,  hornets, 
etc.  Occasionally  an  animal  may  be  stung  by  a  wasp  or  bumble  bee 
and  owing  to  some  peculiar  state  of  the  blood  of  the  animal  the  injured 
skin  will  swell  and  form  a  painful  enlargement.  If  stung  by  a  swarm 
of  bees  the  animal  may  become  very  sick  and  prostrated.  The  external 
application  of  sugar  of  lead  water,  1  ounce  to  the  pint,  will  usually 
relieve  the  pain  and  swelling.  When  the  animal  suffers  constitution- 
ally, 2  drams  of  carbonate  of  ammonia  or  4  ounces  of  whisky  should 
be  administered  every  2  hours  until  the  animal  rallies  from  the  shock. 

BURNS  AND   SCALDS. 

This  is  a  rare  accident  among  cattle,  yet  in  cases  of  tire  it  may  occur. 
The  application  of  heat,  whether  dry  or  moist,  unless  sufficient  instantly 
to  destroy  the  life  of  a  part,  is  always  followed  by  the  development  of 
vesicles  or  blisters,  which  contain  a  thin,  watery  thud.  The  blisters 
may  be  isolated  and  not  very  large,  or  one  blister  may  cover  a  very 
large  surface.  When  the  burn  is  very  severe  the  skin  may  be  wholly 
devitalized,  or  the  injury  may  extend  into  the  deeper  structures  beneath 
the  skin.  Then  sloughs  will  occur,  followed  by  a  contraction  of  the, 
parts  in  healing;  if  on  a  limb  this  may  render  the  animal  stift.  When 
the  burn  or  scald  has  been  a  severe  one  the  resulting  pain  is  great  and 
the  constitutional  disturbance  very  marked. 

Treatment. — For  a  superficial  burn  use  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  of 
lirnewater  and  linseed  oil,  or  common  white  paint — white  lead  ground 
in  oil.  This  will  exclude  the  atmosphere  and  protect  the  inflamed  skin. 
If  it  is  not  convenient  to  obtain  this,  chimney  soot,  flour,  or  starch  may 
be  spread  on  the  wound  (dry),  and  covered  with  cotton  hatting  and 


348  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

light  bandage  if  possible.  The  blisters  should  be  opened  to  let  the  con- 
tained fluid  escape,  but  do  not  pull  off  the  thin  cuticle  which  has  been 
raised  by  the  blister.  When  the  burn  is  extensive  and  deep  sloughing 
occurs,  the  parts  should  be  treated  like  other  deep  wounds,  by  poultic- 
ing, astringent  washes,  etc.  When  the  system  has  sustained  much 
shock,  stimulants  may  be  required  internally,  such  as  4  ounces  of  whisky 
or  2  drains  of  carbonate  of  ammonia,  every  hour  until  the  animal  rallies. 
When  the  pain  is  very  great,  hypodermic  injections  of  6  grains  of  mor- 
phia may  be  administered  every  six  hours. 

Frostbite  on  any  portion  of  the  body  may  be  treated  as  recommended 
in  the  article  on  diseases  of  the  ears. 

EMPHYSEMA — WIND   UNDER   THE   SKIN. 

Emphysema  of  the  skin  is  not  a  true  disease  of  the  skin,  but  we  will 
mention  it  as  a  pathological  condition.  It  is  characterized  by  a  disten- 
sion of  the  skin  with  air  contained  in  the  subcutaneous  areolar  tissue. 
It  may  depend  upon  a  septic  condition  of  the  blood,  as  in  anthrax  or 
blackleg;  or  air  may  be  forced  under  the  skin  about  the  head,  neck, 
and  shoulders,  as  a  result  of  rupture  of  the  windpipe.  It  occurs  in  the 
region  of  the  chest  and  shoulders  from  penetrating  wounds  of  the  chest 
and  lung,  and  occasionally  follows  puncture  of  the  rumen,  when  the 
escaping  gas  becomes  retained  under  the  skin. 

Symptoms. — The  skin  is  enormously  distended  over  a  greater  or  less 
portion  of  the  body;  thus  any  region  of  the  body  may  lose  its  natural 
contour  and  appear  like  a  monstrosity.  There  is  a  peculiar  crackling 
beneath  the  skin  when  the  hand  is  passed  over  it,  and  on  tapping  it 
with  the  fingers  a  resonant  drum-like  sound  is  elicited. 

Treatment. — Puncture  the  distended  skin  with  a  broad-bladed  pocket 
knife  and  press  out  the  contained  air.  Further  treatment  must  be 
directed  with  a  view  to  the  removal  of  the  cause. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  FOOT. 


By  M.  R.  TRUMBOWER,  D.  V.   S.,  Sterling,  111. 


LAM1NITIS — FOUNDER. 

La  mi  nit  i  >  denotes  an  active  inflammation  of  the  sensitive  structures 
within  the  wall  of  the  hoof,  which  may  in  severe  cases  result  in  sup- 
puration, and  the  loss  of  one  or  more  claws.  Owing  to  the  simplicity 
of  the  structure  of  the  foot  of  the  ox,  compared  with  that  of  the  horse, 
this  disease  is  rarely  seen  in  an  acute  form,  but  a  mild  form,  commonly 
called  soreness,  is  not  of  infrequent  occurrence. 

Causes. — Lauiinitis  in  cattle  may  be  caused  by  overfeeding,  overheat- 
ing, or  by  driving  long  distances  over  rough  or  stony  soil. 

Symptoms. — An  unwillingness  to  maintain  the  standing  position;  the 
animal  persists  in  lying  down.  The  feet  will  be  found  unnaturally  hot, 
and  frequently  some  swelling  may  be  noticed  above  the  hoof;  the  gen- 
eral body  temperature  is  increased,  and  the  breathing  accelerated. 
Ordinarily  the  animal  eats  and  drinks.  When  it  is  made  to  move  ex- 
cessive tenderness  of  the  feet  becomes  manifest;  it  affects  the  hind  as 
well  as  the  fore  feet,  usually  all  four. 

Treatment. — Cold  packs  to  the  feet,  or  if  the  animal  can  be  made  to 
stand  in  a  running  stream  of  water,  having  a  soft  bottom,  this  will  often 
relieve  the  inflammation  without  the  necessity  of  any  additional  treat- 
ment. It  may  bo  well,  however,  to  give  a  full  dose  of  Epsom  salts,  1 
to  1J  pounds,  followed  by  half-ounce  doses  of  saltpeter  two  or  three 
times  a  day. 

SORENESS — FOOT   SORENESS. 

Cattle  that  are  driven  over  stony  roads,  especially  such  as  have  boon 
stabled  or  pastured  on  soft  ground,  soon  wear  down  the  solos  of  their 
feet  and  become  lame  from  foot-soreness.  Draft  oxen,  for  this  reason, 
require  to  be  shod.  When  the  soreness  is  excessive  it  may  develop  into 
an  active  inflammation  of  all  the  sensitive  structures  of  the  foot — lami 
uitin. 

Treatment. — Rest,  poultieing  the  feet  with  moistened  Hay,  followed 
by  astringent  washes — strong  white-oak  bark  or  alum  water. 

349 


350  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

LOSS   OF  HOOF. 

Cattle  sometimes  become  fastened  between  planks  or  otherwise,  and 
pull  off  the  wall  of  one  or  both  claws  in  the  effort  to  extricate  themselves. 
The  claws  of  one  or  more  feet  may  be  shed  as  the  result  of  acute  lami- 
nitis. 

Treatment — Apply  a  thick  coating  of  pine  tar  over  the  bleeding  sur- 
face, then  cover  with  a  layer  of  oakuin  or  absorbent  cotton;  apply 
another  coat  of  tar  over  this,  and  then  bandage  closely  and  firmly. 
This  may  remain  without  disturbance  until  the  new  growing  Avail 
becomes  sufficiently  strong  to  sustain  the  pressure  and  weight  of  the 
animal.  If,  however,  at  any  time  it  becomes  manifest  that  pus  is  form- 
ing under  this  dressing,  by  oozing  or  bad  smell,  the  bandage  should 
be  removed  and  as  much  of  the  suppurating  surface  freshly  dressed  as 
may  indicate  any  unhealthy  condition.  Before  applying  tar  to  this 
second  dressing  the  foot  should  be  soaked  in  a  solution  of  chloride  of 
zinc,  1  dram  to  a  pint  of  water.  This  may  have  to  be  repeated  every 
few  days,  and  should  be  continued  so  long  as  there  is  any  pus  formation. 
If  the  loss  of  hoof  is  due  to  suppurative  laminitis,  the  parts  denuded 
of  the  horny  covering  must  be  thoroughly  cleansed  and  disinfected  with 
the  zinc  solution.  Then  apply  a  moderately  thick  layer  of  absorbent 
cotton,  and  apply  the  tar  and  bandage  over  this.  After  this  the  zinc 
solution  may  be  poured  in  at  the  top  of  the  dressing  daily.  It  will  thus 
soak  in  and  saturate  the  dressing  and  inflamed  tissue.  It  may  become 
necessary  to  remove  the  whole  of  the  dressing  once  a  week  to  give  the 
parts  a  fresh  cleansing,  and  then  to  reapply  it.  In  all  cases  where  it 
can  be  avoided,  the  first  dressing  should  never  be  removed  entirely,  but 
holes  may  be  made  through  it  for  the  escape  of  pus. 

FOUL  IN  FOOT — FOOT-ROT. 

A  variety  of  causes  may  produce  inflammation  of  the  foot  between 
the  claws  or  toes;  sometimes  the  inflammation  Avill  extend  entirely 
around  the  bulb  of  the  heels.  It  may  be  due  to  an  overgrowth  of  the 
claws  and  inward  pressure,  as  in  ingrowing  nail  of  man,  or  it  may  be 
caused  by  the  irritation  of  stable  filth,  to  impaction  and  hardening  of 
soil  between  the  claws,  or  to  other  foreign  substances  becoming  wedged 
in  and  causing  inflammation  and  softening  or  ulceration  of  the  skin  in 
the  interdigital  space.  Tuberculous  cattle  are  subject  to  foul  feet. 
This  disease  is  most  frerpieutly  seen  in  the  hind  feet,  though  all  four 
feet  may  become  affected.  It  is  never  contagious  among  cattle  like  the 
foot-rot  among  sheep. 

Symptoms. — The  animal  is  observed  to  limp  in  walking.  On  examina- 
tion ot  the  foot  we  discover  fever,  swelling  above  the  hoof,  and  of  the 
soft  parts  between  the  claws,  which  frequently  spreads  the  foot  apart 
to  a  considerable  extent,  or  the  inflammation  may  have  advanced  to 
softening  and  sloughing  of  the  interdigital  membrane.  If  the  disease 
is  neglected  at  this  stage  deep  abscesses  may  form  and  the  pus  burrow 


DISEASES   OF   THE    FOOT.  351 

under  the  horny  wall,  or  the  joint  within  the  hoof  may  become  inflamed 
and  the  articular  attachments  destroyed,  in  which  case  the  treatment 
will  become  difficult  and  recovery  very  tedious. 

Treatment. — In  the  earlier  stages  of  the  disease,  before  pus  burrows 
beneath  the  horn,  a  thorough  cleansing  and  an  application  of  a  car- 
bolic acid  solution — 1  ounce  to  a  pint  of  water — clean  stabling,  and 
laxative  food  will  soon  remedy  the  evil.  If  deep  sloughing  has  taken 
place  the  carbolic  solution  should  be  used,  and  a  wad  of  oakum  or  cot- 
ton smeared  with  pine  tar  should  be  secured  firmly  in  the  cleft.  This 
can  be  done  by  taking  a  strip  of  strong  cloth,  two  inches  wide,  passing 
the  middle  between  the  claws,  then  tying  the  ends  after  winding  them 
in  opposite  directions  above  the  hoof.  Sometimes  warm  poulticing, 
with  oil-cake  meal,  boiled  carrots,  or  boiled  mashed  potatoes,  becomes 
necessary  to  relieve  excessive  fever  and  pain.  If  the  pus  burrows  under 
the  horn  its  channel  must  be  followed  by  paring  away  the  horn  until 
the  bottom  is  reached.  The  after  treatment  will  be  the  same  as  that 
already  recommended.  If  the  joint  becomes  diseased  an  amputation 
of  that  toe  will  be  the  quickest  and  surest  method  to  relieve  the  suffer- 
ing of  the  animal,  and  offers  the  best  chance  for  an  early  recovery. 

ULCERATION   OF   THE   HEEL. 

Occasionally  we  find  ulcers  at  the  junction  of  the  hair  with  the  hoof 
at  the  heel,  which  present  an  elevated,  raw,  or  ragged  surface,  and 
cause  considerable  lameness.  This  is  generally  due  to  a  bruise  of  the 
fibrous  cushion  of  the  back  part  of  the  foot.  Subsequent  sloughing 
or  necrosis  may  occur,  or  pus  may  form  deep  down  within  the  wall  and 
gain  an  exit  at  the  margin  of  the  heel. 

Treatment. — If  there  is  a  deep  opening  inject  the  carbolic  solution 
once  a  day  until  it  closes.  If  the  ulcer  is  only  superficial  apply,  twice 
a  week,  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  of  blue  vitriol  and  alum  in  dry  powder. 

FISSURE   OF  THE  WALL— SPLIT   HOOF. 

This  is  rarely  seen  among  cattle.  It  may  occur  in  weak  walls,  in 
heavy-bodied  cattle,  by  stepping  on  an  uneven  surface,  especially  when 
the  point  of  the  toe  is  grown  out  long.  1  have  seen  the  point  of  the  toe 
broken  and  the  wall  split  almost  up  to  the  hair. 

Treatment. — The  divided  sections  may  be  brought  into  approximation 
and  held  in  place  by  drilling  a  small  hole  from  one  side  into  and  through 
the  other,  commencing  half  an  inch  buck  of  the  fissure  on  each  side, 
then  drive  a  light  horseshoe  nail  through  the  hole  and  clinch  it.  Pare 
the  injured  claw  as  short  as  it  will  bear. 

INTERDICtlTAL    PIIlltnMA. 

Hard,  nodular,  fibrous  tumors  sometimes  grow  in  the  cleft  of  the  foot, 
and  cause  inconvenience,  lameness,  absorption,  or  ulceration  of  the  con- 
tiguous parts. 


352  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Treatment. — They  should  be  dissected  out,  and  the  wound  dressed 
with  carbolized  cosnioliue  once  a  day  until  healing  is  completed. 

DEFORMITIES. 

Deformities  in  the  feet  of  cattle  usually  consist  in  overgrowth  of  horn, 
generally  due  to  want  of  wear  in  animals  which  are  stabled.  The  hoof 
may  turn  inward,  outward,  or  upward,  and  may  give  rise  to  lameness, 
inability  to  walk,  foul  foot,  etc.  Bulls  which  are  continually  stabled, 
dairy  cows  also,  very  frequently  have  misshapen  feet  for  want  of  an 
occasional  trimming,  which  may  eventually  lead  to  permanent  injury. 

Treatment. — Cut  the  superabundant  growth  of  horn  down  with  saw, 
knife,  or  rasp,  until  the  foot  assumes  its  natural  form. 

PRICKS  AND   WOUNDS. 

If  an  animal  suffers  with  a  penetrating  wound  from  prick  of  fork  or 
nail,  the  orifice  of  the  wound  should  be  enlarged  to  permit  a  free  dis- 
charge of  pus;  then  apply  a  flaxseed  poultice,  changing  it  three  times 
a  day  until  the  fever  has  abated.  Keep  the  animal  on  a  clean  floor 
until  all  lameness  has  disappeared. 

If  an  animal  is  cut  in  the  foot  with  barbed  wire,  piece  of  glass,  or  any 
other  substance,  dress  the  wound,  after  proper  cleansing,  with  carbolic 
acid  solution,  1  ounce  to  20  of  water.  If  any  uneven  edges  of  horn  or 
skin  or  lacerated  flesh  project,  trim  them  off,  and  in  all  cases  when  it  can 
be  done  a  tarred  bandage  should  be  applied.  This  will  serve  to  sustain 
the  cut  surfaces  in  their  place,  exclude  dirt,  and  protect  against  flies, 
maggots,  etc. 

When  the  wound  has  extended  into  a  joint,  surgical  treatment  may 
become  necessary,  which  will  require  the  services  of  an  educated  veter- 
inarian. 

Occasionally  an  animal  becomes  fastened  by  the  foot  in  some  crevice 
and  sustains  severe  bruising,  wrenching,  or  fracture  of  some  part  of  the 
foot.  In  such  cases  cold  water  packs  to  the  injured  member  will  be  of 
service  until  the  fever  and  swelling  disappear.  Afterwards  allow  the 
animal  rest  until  the  usefulness  of  the  foot  is  restored.  This  will  be  all 
that  is  required,  unless  complications  arise. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  EYE  AND  ITS  APPENDAGES. 


By  M.   R.  TRUMBOWER,  D.  V.   S.,  Sterling,  111. 


For  the  sake  of  gaining  a  clear  comprehension  of  the  diseases  of  the 
eye  it  becomes  necessary  to  review  the  anatomy  of  this  important  organ. 
The  essential  organ  of  vision  or  globe  of  the  eye  will  be  first  described, 
then  the  receptacle  of  this  globe  or  orbital  cavity,  the  muscles  that 
move  it,  the  protective  membranes  or  eyelids,  the  membraua  nictitaus 
or  accessory  eyelids,  and,  lastly,  the  lachrymal  apparatus. 

The  globe  or  ball  of  the  eye  approaches  the  spherical  inform.  On 
closer  inspection,  however,  it  will  appear  to  be  made  up  of  two  combined 
portions  from  spheres  of  different  sizes.  The  posterior  portion,  forming 
about  five-sixths  of  the  ball,  is  a  sphere  of  comparatively  large  size  with 
a  small  segment  cut  off  it  in  front,  and  at  this  point  there  is  applied  to 
it  the  anterior  portion,  which,  being  a  segment  of  a  smaller  sphere,  pro- 
jects at  the  front  of  the  ball  with  a  greater  convexity  than  the  posterior 
portion. 

The  eyeball  consists  of  concentrically  arranged  coats,  and  of  refract- 
ing media  inclosed  within  these  coats.  The  coats  are  three  in  number, 
viz,  (1)  an  external  protective  tunic  made  up  of  the  sclerotic  and  cornea; 
(2)  a  middle  vascular  and  pigmentary  tunic,  the  choroid;  (3)  an  internal 
nervous  layer,  the  retina.  The  sclerotic  is  the  white  opaque  part  of  the 
outer  tunic,  of  which  it  forms  about  the  posterior  five-sixths,  being 
coextensive  with  the  larger  sphere  already  mentioned.  The  cornea, 
forms  the  remaining  one  sixth  of  the  outer  tunic,  being  coextensive 
with  the  segment  of  the  smaller  sphere.  It  is  distinguished  from  the 
sclerotic  by  being  colorless  and  transparent.  The  choriod  eoat  will  be 
recognized  as  the  black  layer  lying  subjacent  to  the  sclerotic.  It  does 
not  line  the  cornea,  but  terminates  behind  the  line  of  junction  of  that 
coat  with  the  sclerotic  by  a  thickened  edge — the  ciliary  processes.  At 
the  line  of  junction  of  the  sclerotic  and  cornea,  the  iris  passes  across 
the  interior  of  the  eye.  This,  which  may  l>e  viewed  as  a  dependency 
of  the  choroid,  is  a  muscular  curtain  perforated  by  an  aperture  termed 
the  pupil.  The  retina  will  be  recognized  as  a  delicate  glassy  layer, 
lining  the  greater  part  of  the  choroid. 

The  refracting  media  of  the  eye  are  three  in  number,  viz,  (1)  the 

353 
03 


354  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

aqueous  humor,  a  watery  fluid  iuclosed  in  a  chamber  behind  the  cornea ; 
(2)  the  crystalline  lens  and  its  capsule,  a  transparent  soft  solid  of  a 
biconvex  form,  and  placed  behind  the  iris;  (3)  the  vitreous  humor,  a 
transparent  material  with  a  consistence  like  thin  jelly,  and  occupying 
as  much  of  the  interior  of  the  eye  as  is  subjacent  to  the  choroid. 

The  sclerotic  is  a  strong,  opaque,  fibrous  membrane,  which,  in  a  great 
measure,  maintains  the  form  of  the  eyeball,  and  protects  the  more  deli- 
cate structures  within  it.  Its  anterior  portion,  which  is  covered  by  the 
ocular  conjunctiva,  is  commonly  known  as  the  "  white  of  the  eye."  In 
form  it  is  bell-shaped,  and  the  optic  nerve  pierces  it  behind  like  a  han- 
dle, the  perforation  being  a  little  to  its  inner  side.  In  front  the  rim  of 
the  bell  becomes  continuous  with  the  cornea.  The  outer  surface  of  the 
membrane  receives  the  insertion  of  the  muscles  of  the  eyebalL  The 
coat  is  thickest  over  the  posterior  part  of  the  eyeball,  and  is  thinnest  a 
little  behind  its  junction  with  the  cornea. 

The  cornea  is  the  anterior  transparent  portion  of  the  outer  coat  of 
the  eyeball.  It  may  be  viewed  as  a  part  of  the  sclerotic  specially  modi- 
fied to  permit  the  passage  of  light  into  the  interior  of  the  eye.  Its  out- 
line is  elliptical,  approaching  the  circular,  and  its  greatest  diameter  is 
transverse.  At  its  periphery  it  joins  the  sclerotic  by  continuity  of  tis- 
sue, and  as  the  edge  of  the  cornea  is  slightly  beveled  and  has  the 
fibrous  sclerotic  carried  for  a  little  distance  forward  on  its  outward 
surface,  the  cornea  is  generally  said  to  be  fitted  into  the  sclerotic  like 
a  watch-glass  into  its  rini.  The  venous  canal  of  Schlemm  runs  circu- 
larly around  the  eyeball  at  the  line  of  junction  of  the  sclerotic  and 
cornea.  The  anterior  surface  of  the  cornea  is  exquisitely  smooth,  and 
is  kept  moist  by  the  lachrymal  secretion.  Its  posterior  surface  forms 
the  anterior  boundary  of  the  chamber  in  which  the  aqueous  humor  is 
contained.  The  cornea  is  of  uniform  thickness,  and  is  of  a  dense, 
almost  horny,  consistence.  Save  a  few  capillary  loops  of  blood-vessels 
at  its  margin,  the  cornea  is  without  vessels.  Its  structure  is  comprised 
of  five  distinct  layers. 

The  aqueous  humor  occupies  a  chamber  which  is  bounded  in  front  by 
the  posterior  surface  of  the  cornea,  and  behind  by  the  capsule  and  sus- 
pensory ligament  of  the  lens,  and  by  the  ends  of  the  ciliary  processes. 
It  is  across  this  chamber  that  the  iris  extends.  The  aqueous  humor  is 
composed  of  water,  with  a  small  proportion  of  common  salt  in  solution. 

The  iris  is  a  muscular  pigmented  curtain  extending  across  the  inte- 
rior of  the  eye  and  having  about  its  center  an  aperture  termed  the  pupil. 
By  variations  in  the  size  of  this  aperture  the  amount  of  light  trans- 
mitted to  the  retina  is  regulated.  It  varies  somewhat  in  color,  but  is 
most  frequently  of  a  yellowish-brown  tint.  Its  anterior  face  is  bathed 
by  the  aqueous  humor.  The  greater  part  of  the  posterior  surface  is  iu 
contact  with  the  capsule  of  the  lens  and  glides  on  it  during  the  move- 
ments of  the  curtain.  The  circumferential  border  is  attached  within 
the  j  unction  of  the  sclerotic  and  cornea.  The  inner  border  circumscribes 


DISEASES    OF   THE    EYE   AND    ITS   APPENDAGES.  355 

the  pupil,  which  varies  m  outline  according  to  its  size.  "When  much 
contracted  the  pupil  is  a  very  elongated  ellipse,  the  long  axis  of  which 
is  in  the  line  joining  the  nasal  and  temporal  angles  of  the  eyelids.  It 
contains  muscular  tissue,  which  by  contracting  or  relaxing  lessens  or 
dilates  the  pupillary  opening. 

The  choroid  coat  is  a  bell-shaped,  dark  membrane  which  lines  the 
sclerotic.  Its  outer  surface  has  a  shaggy  appearance,  due  to  the  tunica 
fusca,  which  unites  the  two  coats.  Between  the  two  the  ciliary  vessels 
and  nerves  pass  forward.  Behind  it  is  pierced  by  the  optic  nerve ;  in 
front  it  is  continued  as  the  ciliary  processes,  which  form,  as  it  were,  the 
rim  of  the  bell.  The  ciliary  processes  form  a  fringe  around  the  slightly 
inverted  rim  of  the  choroid. 

The  retina  is  the  most  delicate  of  the  coats  of  the  eyeball.  It  is 
formed  by  the  expansion  of  the  optic  nerve  on  the  inner  surface  of  the 
choroid,  and  like  that  coat,  it  is  bell-shaped.  Its  inner  surface  is  molded 
on  the  vitreous  humor.  The  nervous  structures  of  the  retina  terminate 
at  a  wavy  line,  the  ora  serrata,  behind  the  ciliary  processes.  Ten  dis- 
tinct layers  are  described  as  composing  the  thickness  of  the  retina. 

The  lens  is  situated  behind  the  pupil,  and  is  contained  within  a  cap- 
sule of  its  own. 

The  capsule  is  a  close  fitting,  iirin,  transparent  membrane.  The 
anterior  surface  forms  the  posterior  boundary  of  the  cavity  in  which 
the  aqueous  humor  is  contained,  and  the  iris  in  its  movement  glides 
.on  it.  The  posterior  surface  is  in  contact  with  the  vitreous  humor. 

The  vitreows  humor  occupies  four-fifths  of  the  interior  of  the  eyeball. 
It  is  globular  in  form,  with  a  depression  in  front  for  the  lodgment  of 
the  lens.  It  is  colorless,  transparent,  and  of  a  consistency  like  thin 
jelly.  It  is  enveloped  by  a  delicate  capsule — the  hyaloid  membrane, 
which  is  connected  in  front  with  the  suspensory  ligament  of  the  lens, 
and  ends  by  joining  the  capsule  behind  the  lens. 

The  orbital  carity,  situated  at  the  side  of  the  head,  is  circumscribed 
by  a  bony  margin ;  posteriorly,  however,  there  are  no  bony  walls,  and 
the  cavity  is  confounded  with  the  depression  above  and  beliind  the 
orbit — the  temporal  fossa.  A  fibrous  membrane  completes  thin  cavity 
and  keeps  it  distinct  from  the  temporal  fossa.  This  membrane — the 
ocular  sheath  or  periorbita — IK  attached  jMisteriorly  around  the  owning 
in  the  back  part  of  the  orbital  cavity  (the  orbital  hiatus)  and  anteriorly 
to  its  inner  face;  then  it  becomes  prolonged  l»eyond  the  margin  to 
form  the  fibrous  membrane  of  the  eyelids.  The  orbital  cavity  has  the 
form  when  complete  of  u  regular  hollow  coue,  open  at  its  base  and 
closed  at  the  apex.  The  opening  of  this  cone  is  directed  forward, 
downward  and  outward.  Independently  of  the  gloln*  of  the  eye,  this 
cavity  lodges  the  imiHcles  that  move  it,  the  incnihrami  nictitaiis.  and 
the  lachrymal  gland. 

The  MI  uncles  of  the  eye  are  seven  in  number — one  retractor,  four 
straight,  and  two  oblique.  The  retruetor  oculi  envelops  the  optic  nerve 


356  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

between  the  brain  and  the  ball  of  the  eye,  and  becomes  attached  upon 
the  external  face  of  the  sclerotic  tunic.  When  this  muscle  contracts, 
it  draws  the  globe  back  into  the  orbit,  away  from  the  light.  The 
superior,  inferior,  external,  and  internal  recti  or  straight  muscles  are 
attached  to  the  back  part  of  the  orbital  sheath,  and  spread  forward  in 
four  bundles  over  the  globe  of  the  eye,  where  they  become  inserted  by 
a  fibrous  expansion  into  the  sclerotic  at  the  margin  of  the  cornea. 
When  they  act  singly  they  turn  the  globe  either  upward,  downward, 
inward,  or  outward.  The  great  oblique,  by  its  action,  pivots  the  eye 
inward  and  upward  in  the  orbit.  The  small  oblique  turns  the  eye  out- 
ward and  downward. 

The  eyelids  are  two  inoveable  curtains,  superior  and  inferior,  which 
cover  and  protect  the  eye  in  front.  They  are  attached  to  the  circum- 
ference of  the  orbit,  and  have  a  convex  external  face  formed  by  the 
skin,  and  a  concave  internal  face  molded  on  the  anterior  surface  of  the 
eye,  and  are  lined  by  the  conjunctiva,  which  is  reflected  above  and 
below  on  the  eyeball.  The  border  of  each  lid  is  slightly  beveled  on  the 
inner  side,  and  shows  the  openings  of  the  Meiboinian  glands.  These 
glands  secrete  an  unctuous  fluid,  which  is  thrown  out  on  the  border  of 
the  lids,  the  function  of  which  is  to  facilitate  their  movements  and 
enable  them  to  retain  the  tears  in  the  ocular  cavity.  The  eyelid  is 
composed  of  a  fibrous  inner  membrane  ending  in  a  stiff  arch  near  the 
border,  a  muscle  to  close  the  lid,  another  to  open  it,  the  skin  externally, 
and  the  conjunctiva!  mucous  membrane  internally.  The  border  of  each 
lid  is  covered  and  protected  by  long  hairs,  to  prevent  floating  particles 
of  matter  in  the  atmosphere  gaining  entrance  to  the  eye. 

The  membrana  nictitans,  which  is  also  named  the  third  eyelid,  wink- 
ing eyelid,  haw,  etc.,  is  placed  at  the  inner  angle  of  the  eye,  whence  it 
extends  over  the  eyeball  to  relieve  it  from  foreign  bodies  which  may 
fall  upon  it.  It  has  for  its  framework  a  fibro-cartilage,  irregular  in 
shape,  thick,  and  nearly  prismatic  at  its  base,  and  thin  anteriorly 
where  it  is  covered  by  the  conjunctiva;  behind,  it  is  loosely  attached 
to  a  fatty  cushion. 

The  lachrymal  gland  is  situated  between  the  orbital  process  and  the 
upper  part  of  the  eyeball.  It  secretes  the  tears  destined  to  lubricate 
the  anterior  surface  of  the  eye.  This  fluid  escapes  upon  the  organ  at 
at  the  outer  angle  of  the  lids,  and  is  carried  between  them  and  the  eye- 
ball towards  the  inner  angle. 

The  caruncula  lachrymalis  is  a  small  round  body,  frequently  entirely 
or  partially  black,  situated  in  the  inner  angle  of  the  eye,  and  is  designed 
to  direct  the  tears  towards  the  puncta  lachrymalia. 

Thepuncta  lachrymalia  are  two  little  openings,  situated  one  in  each 
eyelid,  a  short  distance  from  the  inner  corner,  which  admit  the  tears 
into  the  lachrymal  ducts  leading  to  the  lacrymal  canal,  from  whence 
they  are  emptied  into  the  nasal  passages. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    EYE    AND    ITS   APPENDAGES.  357 

CONJUNCTIVITIS — SIMPLE   OPHTHALMIA. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  conjunctival  mucous  membrane  of  the 
eyeball  and  lids;  in  severe  cases  the  deeper  coats  of  the  eye  become 
involved,  seriously  complicating  the  attack. 

Causes. — It  may  result  from  a  bruise  of  the  eyelid;  from  the  intro- 
duction of  foreign  matters  into  the  eye,  such  as  chaff,  hayseed,  dust, 
gnats,  etc.;  from  exposure  to  cold;  poisonous  or  irritating  vapors  aris- 
ing from  filthiuess  of  stable.  Dust,  cinders,  or  sand  blown  into  the 
eyes  during  transportation  frequently  induce  conjunctivitis. 

Symptoms. — A  profuse  flow  of  tears,  closure  of  the  eyelids  from  intol- 
erance to  light,  retraction  of  the  eyeball  and  corresponding  protrusion 
of  the  haw,  disinclination  to  move,  diminution  of  milk  secretion,  etc. 
On  parting  the  lids  the  lining  membrane  is  found  injected  with  an  excess 
of  blood,  giving  to  it  a  red  and  swollen  appearance;  the  sclerotic  or 
white  of  the  eye  is  bloodshot  and  the  cornea  may  be  cloudy.  If  the 
disease  advances  keratitis  results,  with  its  train  of  unfavorable  symp- 
toms. 

Treatment. — Careful  examination  should  be  made  to  discover  par- 
ticles of  chaff,  etc.,  which  may  have  lodged  in  the  eye,  and  upon  the 
discovery  of  such  a  cause  prompt  removal  is  indicated.  This  may  be 
accomplished  by  flushing  the  eye  with  warm  water  by  means  of  a 
syringe,  or  if  the  foreign  substance  is  adherent  to  the  eyeball  or  lid  it 
may  be  scooped  out  with  the  handle  of  a  teaspoon  or  some  other  blunt 
instrument.  To  relieve  the  congestion  and  local  irritation,  a  wash  com- 
posed of  acetate  of  zinc,  5  grains  to  the  ounce  of  pure  soft  water,  may 
be  used,  to  which  may  be  added  twenty  drops  of  laudanum.  A  few 
drops  of  this  should  be  placed  in  the  eye  with  a  camel's-hair  pencil  or 
soft  feather  three  or  four  times  daily.  The  animal  should  be  placed  in 
a  cool,  darkened  stable,  and  then  a  cloth  folded  into  several  thicknesses 
should  be  fastened  to  the  horns  in  such  a  manner  as  to  reach  below  the 
eyes.  This  should  be  kept  wet  with  cold  water  during  the  day  and 
removed  at  night.  If  there  is  much  fever  and  constitutional  disturbance 
it  becomes  advisable  to  administer  1  pound  of  Epsom  salts  dissolved 
in  1  quart  of  water. 

CATARRHAL  CONJUNCTIVITIS — SPECIFIC   OPHTHALMIA. 

This  generally  appears  in  an  enxootie  form,  and  affects  quite  a  num- 
ber in  the  herd.  It  in  usually  attributed  to  some  irritant  material 
carried  in  the  atmosphere  or  emanating  from  the  soil.  It  is  most  prev- 
alent on  low  grounds,  and  in  seldom  HCCU  in  the  winter  months.  It 
affects  old  and  young  animals  alike,  but  I  have  never  witnessed  a  sec- 
ond attack  in  the  same  animal,  although  it  appeared  among  freshly- 
introduced  animals  for  several  successive  years. 

Symptoms. — Catarrhal  conjunctivitis  is  characterized  chiefly  by  a 
mucopurulent  discharge  of  the  eyes,  an  intense  degree  of  intlnnmia- 


358  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

tion  of  the  mucous  membrane,  accompanied  by  swelling  of  the  eyelids 
and  an  early  opacity  of  the  cornea.  The  flow  of  tears  is  mixed  with 
pus,  sometimes  streaked  with  blood,  which  gathers  in  large  masses  011 
the  cheek.  The  eyes  are  kept  continually  closed.  The  implication  of 
the  cornea  in  the  disease  frequently  blinds  the  animal  for  a  time,  and 
occasionally  suppurative  keratitis,  ulcers  of  the  cornea,  or  staphyloma 
supervene.  The  attack  is  marked  from  the  onset  by  a  high  fever,  loss 
of  appetite,  partial  loss  of  milk,  suspended  rumination,  and  separation 
from  the  herd. 

Treatment. — The  animal  should  be  housed  in  a  cool,  dark  stable,  sup- 
plied with  plenty  of  fresh  water  to  drink  and  soft  succulent  food. 
Administer  1  pound  of  Epsom  salts — if  a  very  large  animal  1£  pounds — 
dissolved  in  2  or  3  pints  of  water.  Give  tincture  of  veratrum  viride 
every  two  hours  in  30-drop  doses  and  half  an  ounce  of  saltpeter  three 
times  a  day.  For  an  eyewash  take  boracic  acid,  1  dram,  and  pour  4 
ounces  of  boiling  water  over  it.  Use  this  wash  as  often  as  convenient, 
applying  it  directly  to  the  eye.  In  the  majority  of  cases  improvement 
becomes  manifest  in  a  few  days,  and  the  eye  will  become  clear  and  free 
from  inflammation  in  ten  days  or  two  weeks.  Where  the  disease  devel- 
ops ulceratioii  of  the  cornea,  or  well-marked  deep-seated  keratitis.  the 
treatment  recommended  for  those  conditions  should  be  adopted. 

Prevention. — Whenever  this  affection  appears  in  a  herd  all  the  unaf- 
fected animals  should  be  moved  to  another  locality;  that  is,  to  fields 
which  possess  a  different  character  of  soil  and  feed.  The  water  should 
also  be  changed,  especially  if  they  have  been  obtaining  their  drinking 
water  from  a  running  stream  or  stagnant  pond. 

KERATITIS — COENEITIS. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  cornea  proper,  although  the  sclerotica 
at  the  corneal  border  becomes  involved  to  some  extent.  It  may  be 
divided  into  diffuse  and  suppurative. 

Causes. — The  cornea  constitutes  the  most  prominent  portion  of  the 
eyeball,  hence  it  is  subject  to  a  variety  of  injuries — scratches,  pricks, 
contusions,  lacerations,  etc.  Inflammation  of  the  cornea  may  also  be 
due  to  the  extension  of  catarrhal  conjunctivitis  or  intraocular  disease, 
and  it  may  occasionally  occur  without  any  perceptible  cause. 

Symptoms. — Diffuse  I'eratitis  is  characterized  by  an  exudation  into 
and  an  opacity  of  the  cornea.  The  swelling  of  the  anterior  part  of  the 
eyeball  may  be  of  an  irregular  form,  in  points  resembling  small  blad- 
ders, or  it  may  commence  at  the  periphery  of  the  cornea  by  an  abrupt 
thickening,  which  gradually  diminishes  as  it  approaches  the  center. 
If  the  whole  cornea  is  affected  it  has  a  uniform  gray  or  grayish  white 
appearance.  The  flow  of  tears  is  not  so  marked  as  in  conjunctivitis, 
nor  is  the  suffering  so  acute.  Both  eyes  usually  become  affected,  unless 
it  is  due  to  an  external  injury. 

In  favorable  cases  the  exudate  within  the  cornea  begins  to  disappear 


DISEASES    OF    THE    EYE    AND    ITS  APPENDAGES.  359 

within  a  week  or  ten  days,  the  eye  becomes  clearer,  regains  its  trans- 
parency, until  it  eventually  is  fully  restored.  In  unfavorable  cases 
blood  vessels  form  and  are  seen  to  traverse  the  affected  part  from  periph- 
ery to  center,  vision  becomes  entirely  lost,  and  permanent  opacity 
(albugo  or  leucoma)  remains.  When  it  arises  from  constitutional  causes 
recurrence  is  frequent,  leaving  the  corneal  membrane  more  cloudy  after 
each  attack,  until  the  sight  is  permanently  lost. 

Suppurativc  keratitis  maybe  a  sequel  of  diffuse  keratitisj  more  com- 
monly, however,  it  abruptly  becomes  manifest  by  a  raised  swelling  on 
or  near  the  center  of  the  cornea  that  very  soon  assumes  a  yellow  tur- 
bid color,  while  the  periphery  of  the  swelling  fades  into  an  opaque  ring. 
Suppurative  keratitis  is  seldom  noticed  for  the  first  day  or  two — not 
until  distinct  pus  formation  has  occurred.  When  it  is  the  result  of  dif- 
fuse keratitis,  ulceration  and  the  escape  of  the  contained  pus  is  inevita- 
ble; otherwise  the  pus  may  be  absorbed.  When  the  deeper  membranes 
covering  the  anterior  chamber  of  the  eye  become  involved  the  contents 
of  this  chamber  may  be  evacuated  and  the  sight  permanently  lost. 

Treatment. — Place  the  animal  in  a  darkened  stable,  give  green  or 
sloppy  food,  and  administer  4  ounces  of  Glauber's  salt — sulphate  of 
soda — dissolved  in  a  quart  of  water  once  a  day.  If  the  animal  is  de- 
bilitated a  tablespoonful  of  tonic  powder  should  be  mixed  with  the  feed 
three  times  a  day.  This  may  be  composed  of  equal  parts  by  weight  of 
powdered  copperas  (sulphate  of  iron),  gentian,  and  ginger.  As  an 
application  for  the  eye  nitrate  of  silver,  3  grains  to  the  ounce  of 
soft  water,  with  the  addition  of  1  grain  sulphate  of  morphia,  may  be 
used  several  times  a  day.  If  ulceratiou  occurs  a  solution  of  blue  vit- 
riol (sulphate  of  copper)  or  nitrate  of  silver,  5  grains  to  the  ounce  of 
water,  should  be  used.  (See  Ulcer  of  Cornea.) 

To  remove  opacity,  after  the  inflammation  has  subsided,  apply  a  few 
drops  of  the  following  solution  twice  a  day:  Iodide  of  potassium,  1"> 
grains;  tincture  sauguinaria,  20  drops;  distilled  water,  li  ounces;  mix. 

ULCERS   OF   THE   CORNEA. 

All  ulcer  is  the  common  consequence  of  the  bursting  of  a  small  ab- 
scess, which  not  unfrcquently  forms  beneath  the  delicate  layer  of  the 
conjunctiva,  continued  over  the  cornea;  or,  in  the  very  substance  of 
the  cornea  itself,  after  violent  keratitis,  or  catarrhal  conjunctivitis.  At 
other  times  the  ulcer  is  produced  by  bruises,  scratches,  and  other  direct 
injury  of  the  cornea. 

Nywpt»mR. — The  ulcer  is  generally  nt  first  of  n  pale  gray  color,  with 
its  edges  high  and  irregular,  and  discharges  instead  of  pus  an  acrid 
watery  substance,  with  u  tendency  to  spread  widely  and  deeply.  If  it 
spreads  superficially  upon  the  cornea,  the  transparency  of  this  mem. 
brane  is  lost;  if  it  proceed)*  deeply  and  penetrates  the  anterior  cham- 
ber of  the  aqueous  humor,  this  fluid  escapes,  the  iris  may  prolapse,  and 


360  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  lens  and  the  vitreous  humor  become  expelled,  thus  producing  a 
destruction  of  the  whole  organ. 

Treatment. — It  is  of  the  greatest  importance,  as  soon  as  an  ulcer 
appears  upon  the  cornea,  to  prevent  its  growing  larger.  The  corroding 
process  must  be  converted  into  a  healthy  one.  For  this  purpose  noth- 
ing is  more  reliable  than  the  use  of  solid  nitrate  of  silver.  A  stick  of 
nitrate  of  silver  should  be  scraped  to  a  point;  the  animal's  head  should 
be  firmly  secured;  an  assistant  should  part  the  lids;  if  necessary  the 
haw  must  be  secured  within  the  corner  of  the  eye  and  then  all  parts  of 
the  ulcer  should  be  lightly  touched  with  the  silver.  After  waiting  a 
few  minutes  the  eye  should  be  thoroughly  washed  out  with  warm  milk. 
This  operation  generally  has  to  be  repeated  once  more  at  the  end  of 
three  or  four  days.  If  healthy  action  succeeds,  the  ulcer  assumes  a 
delicate  fleshy  tint,  and  the  former  redness  around  the  ulcer  disappears 
in  proportion  as  the  ulcer  heals. 

In  superficial  abrasions  of  the  cornea,  where  there  is  no  distinct  exca- 
vation, this  caustic  treatment  is  not  needed.  The  eye  should  be  bathed 
with  sulphate  of  zinc,  30  grains  to  half  a  pint  of  soft  water,  several 
times  a  day,  and  protected  against  exposure  to  cold  air  and  sunlight. 
Excessive  ulceration  sometimes  assumes  the  form  of  fungous  excres- 
cence upon  the  cornea,  appearing  to  derive  its  nourishment  from  loops 
of  blood-vessels  of  the  conjunctiva.  Under  these  circumstances  the 
fungoid  mass  must  be  cut  away,  and  the  wound  cauterized  with  the 
nitrate  of  silver,  or  else  the  eye  will  soon  be  destroyed.  When  ulcers 
of  the  cornea  appear  indolent,  with  a  tendency  to  slough,  in  addition 
to  the  treatment  already  prescribed,  tonic  powders  should  be  given 
twice  a  day  mixed  with,  the  feed ;  powdered  copperas,  gentian,  and  gin- 
ger, equal  parts  by  weight.  Dose,  one  tablespoonful. 

STAPHYLOMA. 

This  is  a  disease  of  the  eyeball,  in  which  the  cornea  loses  its  trans- 
parency, rises  above  the  level  of  the  eye,  and  even  projects  beyond  the 
eyelids,  in  the  form  of  an  elongated,  whitish,  or  pearl-colored  tumor, 
which  is  sometimes  smooth,  at  other  times  uneven. 

Causes. — Inflammation  is  the  only  known  cause,  although  it  may  not 
occur  immediately;  it  frequently  follows  catarrhal  conjunctivitis  and 
keratitis  as  a  sequela. 

Treatment. — In  a  few  cases  restoration  of  sight  may  be  effected  by 
puncturing  the  projecting  tumor,  and  treating  it  afterwards  with  nitrate 
of  silver  in  the  same  manner  as  prescribed  for  ulceration  of  the  cornea. 
I  have  known  a  few  cases  where  spontaneous  rupture  occurred,  and 
healing  without  any  treatment  at  all. 

CATARACT. 

In  cataract  the  crystalline  lens  becomes  opaque  and  loses  its  trans- 
parency, the  power  of  refraction  is  lost — the  animal  can  not  see. 

Causes. — Cataract  generally  arise*  from  a  diminution — atrophy — or 


DISEASES    OF    THE    EYE    AND    ITS    APPENDAGES.  361 

other  change  in  the  nutrition  of  the  lens;  it  may  occur  as  a  result  of 
inflammation  of  the  deep  structures  of  the  eye.  Cataract  may  be  sim- 
ple, or  complicated  with  ainaurosis,  adhesions,  etc. 

Symptoms. — It  is  known  by  the  whiteness  or  loss  of  transparency  of 
the  lens,  although  the  pupil  dilates  and  contracts.  Sight  may  be 
totally  lost;  however,  evidence  is  usually  manifested  that  the  animal 
distinguishes  light  when  brought  out  of  a  darkened  stable.  For  the 
most  part  the  formation  of  cataract  takes  place  slowly,  the  cases  in 
which  it  originates  very  quickly  being  but  few. 

Treatment. — There  is  only  one  method  for  the  treatment  of  cataract— 
a  surgical  operation  for  the  removal  of  the  lens;  but  this  is  not  advisa- 
ble, for  the  sight  can  not  be  perfectly  restored,  and  objects  would  be 
seen  imperfectly  without  the  aid  of  glasses. 

AMAUROSIS. 

A  paralysis  of  the  nerve  of  sight  or  the  expansion  of  the  retina. 

Causes. — This  is  the  result  of  concussion  from  a  blow  upon  the  fore- 
head, fracture  of  bone  over  the  eye,  causing  downward  pressure,  rheu- 
matic inflammation  of  the  optic  nerve,  or  from  extension  of  deep  inflam- 
mation of  the  eye  involving  the  retina.  It  sometimes  occurs  as  the 
result  of  excessive  loss  of  blood,  or  of  great  debility. 

Symptoms. — In  this  disease  seldom  any  observation  is  made  until  the 
animal  in  its  gait  and  by  its  action  indicates  blindness.  Generally  both 
eyes  are  affected.  The  eyeball  remains  clear,  and  the  pupil  perma- 
nently dilated.  Xo  response  to  light  is  manifested. 

Treatment. — If  due  to  debility,  loss  of  blood,  or  associated  with  rheu- 
matism, general  blood  tonics  may  be  given  in  the  feed,  viz,  powdered 
sulphate  of  iron,  1  dram ;  gentian,  2  drams ;  mix  vomica,  one-half  drain ; 
to  be  given  twice  a  day.  In  cases  of  rheumatism,  one-half  ounce  of 
saltpeter  may  be  added. 

FILAUIA    OCULI — WORM    IN    THE   EYE. 

Filaria  oculi  (proriaiondlly  taken  <i#  the  Ittrrn  of  F.  cerrina). — This 
is  a  small  white  worm,  and  is  found  in  the  eye,  swimming  in  the  aqueous 
fluid  in  the  anterior  chamber.  It  may  be  apparently  harmless  for 
a  long  time,  but  will  eventually  induce  keratitis  with  inflammatory 
exudations. 

Trentmcnt. — Tin*  cornea  may  bo  punctured  at  its  upper  and  outer 
margin,  and  the  worm  squeezed  out  with  the  aqueous  humor.  The 
latter  will  be  formed  again. 

CORNEAL   DEBMATOMA — HAIRY    TUMOR   ON   THE   EYE11AYL. 

In  a  few  instances  this  has  been  seen  as  a  congenital  growth.  The 
tumor  arises  from  the  cornea  or  the  sclerotic,  covered  by  its  respective 
membrane,  with  a  growth  of  hair  upon  its  surface.  These  tumors  may 
be  quite  prominent  or  flattened,  and  are  dark  in  eolor:  the  hair  may 


362  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

protrude  out  between  the  eyelids,  giving  the  animal  the  appearance  of 
1  laving  a  double  eyelid. 

Treatment. — A  surgical  operation  becomes  necessary  for  their  removal, 
one  requiring  a  skilled  operator. 

STRABISMUS — SQUINTING. 

This  is  a  very  rare  affection  among  cattle.  Strabismus  may  be  either 
single  or  double — affecting  one  eye  or  both.  It  is  due  to  a  paralysis,  or 
a  weakening  of  one  of  the  straight  muscles  of  the  eyeball.  Generally 
it  is  a  congenital  defect,  and  the  squinting  is  to  wards  the  nose — strabis- 
mus convergens.  It  is  best  not  to  attempt  to  remedy  the  defect,  as  the 
risk  in  an  operation  is  greater  than  the  chances  of  success  warrant. 

PTERYGIUM. 

This  term  is  applied  to  a  fleshy-colored  membrane,  triangular  in  form, 
which  most  frequently  grows  from  the  inner  angle  of  the  eye  and  extends 
over  the  cornea,  thus  interfering  with  vision.  It  may  grow  from  the 
outer  angle,  or  even  from  the  superior  or  inferior  hemisphere  of  the 
eyeball.  The  figure  is  invariably  that  of  a  triangle,  with  its  base  on 
the  white  of  the  eye,  and  its  apex  more  or  less  advanced  over  the  cor- 
nea toward  its  center. 

The  distinguishing  characteristics  are  the  constancy  of  the  triangular 
form,  and  the  facility  with  which  the  whole  of  it  may  be  taken  hold  of 
with  a  pair  of  forceps  and  raised  into  a  fold  on  the  cornea.  Every 
other  kind  of  excrescence  attached  to  this  membrane  continues  firmly 
adherent  to  it,  and  can  not  be  folded  and  raised  from  the  surface  of  the 
cornea  in  any  manner  whatever. 

Treatment. — Raise  the  fold  and  dissect  it  away  from  all  points  of 
attachment. 

TRICHIASIS — INVERSION   OF   THE  EYELASHES. 

In  the  simplest  form  the  eyelashes  bend  inwardly,  touching  the  eye- 
ball, causing  irritation  and  simple  conjunctivitis.  It  may  be  also  asso- 
ciated with  entropion. 

Treatment. — The  offending  eyelashes  should  be  cut  off  or  pulled  out. 
In  cases  where  the  natural  growth  of  the  eyelashes  is  directed  inward 
an  operation  similar  to  that  for  entropion  becomes  necessary. 

ENTROPION — INVERSION   OF   THE   EYELID. 

In  inversion  of  the  eyelid  the  eyelashes  soon  irritate  the  anterior 
face  of  the  cornea,  and  produce  more  or  less  inflammation  and  opacity. 
The  inversion  may  be  due  to  the  growth  of  a  tumor  within  or  without 
the  lid,  to  abscess,  laceration,  or  injury,  causing  the  lid  to  lose  its  nat- 
ural conformitj7  to  the  eyeball,  ulceratious,  etc.  Surgical  interference, 
in  either  case,  becomes  necessary  to  restore  the  lid  to  its  natural  direc- 
tion. 


DISEASES   OF   THE    EYE    AND    ITS   APPENDAGES.  363 

ECTKOPION — EVEKSION  OF   THE  EYELID. 

This  serves  to  injure  the  eye  by  permitting  dust  and  other  foreign 
substances  to  gain  admission  to  the  eye,  and  interferes  with  the  natural 
removal  of  such  substances.  A  delicate  surgical  operation — the  removal 
of  an  elliptic  section  of  the  p'alpajbral  conjunctiva — may  remedy  the 
defect. 

TUMORS   OF  THE  EYELIDS. 

Occasionally  tumors  form  upon  or  within  the  substance  of  the  eyelid. 
These  may  be  of  a  fibroid  nature,  and  arise  from  the  follicles  of  the 
hair  as  sebaceous  tumors,  or  may  be  in  the  form  of  an  abscess.  In 
debilitating  diseases  the  lids  sometimes  become  swollen  and  puffy,  a 
condition  which  might  possibly  be  taken  for  the  growth  of  a  tumor. 
This  generally  disappears  with  the  improvement  of  the  health  of  the 
animal.  Warts  not  uncommonly  appear  on  or  about  the  eyelids  of 
cattle. 

Treatment. — The  removal  of  a  tumor  in  the  vicinity  of  so  delicate 
an  organ  as  the  eye  should  not  be  attempted  by  any  one  not  qualified 
for  the  operation. 

LACERATION   OF   THE  EYELID. 

This  accident  is  not  uncommon  where  cattle  are  fenced  in  by  barbed 
wire;  an  animal  maybe  caught  under  the  eyelid  by  the  horn  of  another; 
it  may  occur  in  the  stable  by  means  of  a  projecting  nail  or  splinter  of 
wood. 

Treatment. — The  edges  of  the  wound  should  be  brought  together 
closely  and  correctly,  by  means  of  pins  pushed  through  very  nearly 
the  whole  thickness  of  the  lid,  extending  through  each  lip  of  the  torn 
part;  then  a  waxed  silk  or  linen  thread  must  be  wound  over  each  end 
of  the  pin  crossing  the  torn  line  in  the  form  of  the  figure  8  (Plate 
xxvin,  Fig.  9);  the  pins  should  be  placed  about  j|  of  an  inch  apart 
The  projecting  ends  of  the  pins  should  be  cut  off  close  to  the  ligature, 
and  the  parts  kept  anointed  with  vaseline,  to  which  has  been  added  5 
per  cent  of  ereolin.  In  place  of  a  pin  suture,  silver  wire,  catgut,  or 
strong  linen  thread  may  be  used  in  the  way  of  an  ordinary  suture. 

FOREIGN   BODIES   IX   T1IK  EYE. 

Splinters  of  wood,  hod  go  thorns,  pieces  of  cornstalk  or  leaves,  stems 
of  hay  or  straw,  twigs  of  trees,  or  weeds  may  penetrate  into  the  eye, 
break  off  and  remain,  causing  inflammation,  blindness,  abscess,  etc. 
These  substances  may  penetrate  the  eyeball,  but  more  frequently  they 
glide  off  and  enter  between  the  eye  and  the  ocular  Hheath. 

Treatment. — Their  removal  heroines  often  a  very  difllriilt  task,  from  the 
fact  that  the  organ  is  so  extremely  sensitive,  and  the  retracting  power 
so  strong  as  to  necessitate  casting  the  animal,  or  even  the  administra- 


364  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

tion  of  sufficient  chloroform  to  render  it  completely  insensible.  The 
removal,  however,  is  of  paramount  importance,  and  the  after  treatment 
depends  upon  the  extent  and  location  of  the  injury— cold  water  com- 
press over  the  injured  eye,  the  application  of  mild  astringent  and 
cooling  washes,  such  as  acetate  or  sulphate  of  zinc,  5  grains  to  the 
ounce  of  water.  When  tbere  is  extreme  suffering  from  paiu  a  5  per 
cent  solution  of  atropia  or  morphia,  5  grains  to  the  ounce  of  water,  may 
be  dropped  into  the  eye,  alternating  with  the  cooling  wash  several 
times  a  day.  When  abscesses  form  within  the  orbit  a  free  opening  must 
be  maintained  for  the  discharge  of  pus.  In  deep  penetrating  wounds 
of  the  eye  there  is  a  great  tendency  to  the  formation  of  a  fungus 
growth,  which  often  necessitates  the  enucleation  of  the  whole  eyeball. 

ORBITAL  AND   PERIORBITAL  ABSCESS. 

Orbital  abscess  may  form  outside  of  the  globe  and  within  the  orbital 
sheath,  as  the  result  of  a  previous  wound  of  the  parts,  or  from  fract- 
ure of  the  bony  orbit,  etc.  Periorbital  abscess  commences  outside  of 
-the  ocular  sheath,  beneath  the  periosteal  membrane  covering  the  bone, 
and  is  usually  the  result  of  a  diseased  or  fractured  bone  which  enters 
into  the  formation  of  the  orbital  cavity. 

Symptoms. — Orbital  abscess  is  manifested  by  a  pushing  forward  of 
the  eyeball  (exophthalinos),  a  swelling  of  the  conjunctiva  and  eyelids. 
The  bulging  out  of  the  eye  is  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  abscess ; 
the  movement  of  the  eye  is  fixed,  due  to  the  painfulness  of  any  volun- 
tary movement  of  the  eyeball.  Periorbital  abscess  generally  pushes 
the  eye  to  one  side;  otherwise  the  symptoms  are  similar  to  the  forego- 
ing. The  pain  generally  is  very  great;  paralysis  of  the  nerve  of  sight 
may  occur,  and  death  may  be  caused  by  the  abscess  extending  to  the 
brain. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  for  either  orbital  or  periorbital  abscess  is 
the  same  as  that  for  abscess  occurring  in  any  other  part  of  the  body — 
a  free  opening  for  the  escape  of  imprisoned  pus.  This  should  be  made 
as  soon  as  the  true  nature  of  the  disease  is  recognized.  Afterwards 
antiseptic  injections  may  be  needed  to  stimulate  healthy  granulation 
and  to  prevent  septic  infection  of  the  ocular  membranes.  For  this  pur- 
pose a  saturated  solution  of  boracic  acid  may  be  used,  or  listerine  one 
part  to  ten  of  water.  When  the  fever  runs  high,  Glauber  salts — sul- 
phate of  soda — may  be  given  in  4-ounce  doses  once  a  day.  The  animal 
should  be  kept  in  a  darkened  stable,  on  soft  or  green  feed. 

FRACTURE    OF   THE   ORBIT. 

This  accident  occasionally  occurs  among  belligerent  animals,  or  as 
the  result  of  blows  delivered  by  brutal  attendants.  The  orbital  process 
above  the  eye  may  be  entirely  crushed  ia,  pressing  down  upon  the  eye- 
ball. In  such  an  event  the  depressed  bone  should  be  elevated  into  its 
proper  place,  and  if  it  fails  to  unite  it  may  have  to  be  removed  with  saw 


DISEASES    OF    THE    EYE    AND    ITS   APPENDAGES.  365 

or  chisel.  The  margin  of  the  orbit  may  be  crushed  at  any  point  and 
cause  periorbital  abscess,  or  necrosis  may  result  from  the  presence  of  a 
splinter  of  bone  or  the  excessive  destruction  of  bone.  In  all  cases  of 
fracture  the  animal  should  be  taken  out  of  the  herd  and  kept  by  itself 
until  the  injured  part  has  had  time  to  heal. 

NECROSIS   OF   THE  BONY   ORBIT. 

As  the  result  of  fracture  of  the  margin  of  the  orbit  a  part  of  the 
injured  bone  may  become  necrosed  (dead),  and  periostitis  and  periorbital 
abscess  will  follow  as  a  consequence.  The  discovery  of  this  disease  will 
at  first  resemble  abscess,  but  on  making  an  examination  with  a  probe  after 
the  abscess  is  open  we  will  find  the  bone  rough  and  brittle  at  the  point 
of  disease.  The  discharge  will  have  a  peculiar  fetid  odor,  and  is  often 
mixed  with  blood. 

Treatment. — The  aifected  bone  must  be  laid  bare  and  all  diseased  por- 
tions removed  by  scraping,  or  if  necessary  with  saw  or  chisel,  disre- 
garding the  extent  of  the  injury  or  the  size  of  the  wound  necessary  to 
be  inflicted.  A  large  portion  of  the  bony  orbit  may  be  removed  with- 
out serious  danger  to  the  eye,  provided  the  eyeball  itself  has  not  been 
previously  affected  by  the  disease  or  involved  in  the  original  injury. 

TUMORS   OF   THE   ORBIT. 

A  fungus  tumor  of  the  eyeball  or  orbit  occasionally  appears,  which 
is  designated  fungus  ha'matode*.  This  may  arise  without  any  appre- 
ciable cause,  or  as  the  result  of  a  wound.  It  frequently  commences 
within  the  eyeball  as  a  small  red  mass,  eventually  bursts  through,  and 
pushes  its  way  outside  of  the  orbit  as  a  large  dark  red  mass,  bleeding 
at  the  slightest  touch.  It  has  a  peculiar  fetid  odor,  and  early  in  its 
appearance  destroys  sight,  involving  all  the  contents  of  the  orbit,  not 
infrequently  the  bony  wall  itself. 

Unless  the  tumor  is  totally  removed  in  its  early  stage  of  growth, 
together  with  the  eyeball,  the  disease  will  eventually  cause  emaciation 
and  death  of  the  animal.  The  enucleation  of  the  eyeball  should  not  be 
undertaken  by  any  one  unacquainted  with  the  anatomical  structures 
involved  in  such  an  operation.  When  the  operation  is  performed  early 
enough  the  result  is  generally  satisfactory. 

Bony  tumors  of  the  orbit  are  occasionally  present  in  cattle,  the  result 
of  bruises,  fractures,  etc.  They  may  em-roach  UJMHI  the  contents  of 
the  orbit,  causing  paralysis  of  the  optic  nerve — the  condition  known 
as  amatirosiH — or  by  pressure  upon  the  imstcrior  surface  of  the  eyeball 
force  it  forward,  or  produce  atrophy  (shrinking).  They  may  displace 
the  eye  in  any  direction,  with  or  without  disturbing  vision. 

Fibrous  tumors  growing  within  the  orbit  will  produce  symptoms  simi- 
lar to  those  of  bony  tumors. 

Treatment. — When  the  outlines  of  the  tumor,  whether  fungoid,  lK>ny, 
or  fibrous,  can  be  detected,  an  operation  for  its  removal  should  be  Under- 
taken as  soon  as  the  sight  of  the  eye  is  in  any  manner  disturbed. 


366  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

DISLOCATION   OF   THE  EYEBALL. 

The  eyeball  may  be  torn  out  of  its  socket  by  the  horus  of  another  ani- 
mal in  a  fight,  or  it  may  be  crowded  out  with  the  blunt  end  of  a  club, 
cane,  or  probe  in  the  hands  of  a  human  brute. 

Treatment. — When  the  optic  nerve  is  not  lacerated  and  the  retractor 
muscles  at  the  back  of  the  eye  are  intact,  an  attempt  at  reduction  is 
advisable.  This,  however,  must  follow  very  soon  after  the  injury — 
before  swelling  takes  place.  Divide  the  outer  corner  of  the  eyelid  to 
enlarge  the  orifice,  then  by  pressure  with  the  fingers  of  both  hands 
placed  upon  the  sides  of  the  eye  the  ball  may  be  put  back  into  its 
place.  Apply  a  firm  compress  over  the  injured  eye  and  keep  it  con- 
stantly wet  with  cold  water,  containing  one  drain  of  sugar  of  lead  to 
each  quart. 

If  the  attempt  at  reduction  proves  unsuccessful  the  artery  at  the 
back  of  the  eye  should  be  ligated,  and  then  the  whole  mass  cut  off  as 
deep  within  the  orbit  as  possible.  The  orbital  cavity  should  be  packed 
daily  with  fresh  absorbent  cotton  after  washing  it  out  with  a  3  per  cent 
solution  of  carbolic  acid  or  10  per  cent  dilution  of  creolin. 

INFLAMMATION  AND  ENLARGEMENT   OF   THE  HAW. 

The  haw  or  nienibrana  nictitans  is  subject  to  inflammation  and  swell- 
ing from  the  extension  of  conjunctivitis,  or  direct  injury  by  foreign  sub- 
stances. It  presents  a  red,  swollen  appearance,  accompanied  by  con- 
siderable pain  and  a  profuse  flow  of  tears.  A  slight  scarification  with 
a  sharp  knife  and  the  application  of  a  cooling  lotion,  such  as  recom- 
mended for  conjunctivitis,  will  soon  reduce  the  swelling  and  restore  it 
to  its  normal  function. 

There  is,  however,  a  tendency  for  an  inflammation  of  this  membrane 
to  take  on  a  chronic  character,  which  may  eventually  result  in  a  per- 
manent enlargement,  resembling  a  tumor.  When  it  attains  sufficient 
size  to  protrude  itself  permanently  over  the  eye,  or  project  between  the 
lids  so  as  to  obstruct  the  sight,  its  removal  may  become  necessary.  A 
threaded  needle  is  passed  through  the  body  of  the  enlarged  mass  by 
which  the  membrane  is  drawn  out  as  far  as  possible,  then  with  a  blunt 
pair  of  scissors  it  may  be  dissected  away  from  its  attachments.  The  eye 
is  afterwards  treated  with  simple  cooling  lotions. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  EAR. 


By  M.  R.  TRUMBOWER,  D.  V.  S.,  Sterling,  111. 

Diseases  of  the  ears  of  cattle  are  not  very  common,  for  the  reason, 
probably,  that  they  are  not  subjected  to  the  brutality  of  drivers  so  much 
as  horses,  and  that  the  horns  to  a  great  extent  protect  them  against 
external  violence. 

OTITIS — INFLAMMATION   OF  THE   INTERNAL  EAR. 

Inflammation  of  the  deep  part  of  the  ear  is  often  difficult  to  recog- 
nize in  cattle.  It  may  be  caused  by  disease  of  bone  in  that  region, 
from  blows  inflicted  by  drivers  or  from  injury  by  other  cattle.  Occa- 
sionally the  car  becomes  involved  in  actinomycosis,  or  the  inflamma- 
tion may  be  the  result  of  a  tuberculous  affection. 

Symptoms. — The  animal  will  hold  its  head  to  one  side,  or  shake  it, 
while  the  ear  itself  is  held  immovable.  The  movement  of  the  jaws  in 
eating  ii.-uul !y  gives  rise  to  a  manifestation  of  pain ;  the  base  of  the  ear 
may  be  feverish  and  swollen,  and  very  sensitive  to  the  touch.  If  the 
inflammation  has  advanced  to  a  suppurative  stage  matter  will  flow  from 
the  ear,  which  generally  emits  a  very  offensive  odor. 

Treatment. — At  first  hot  fomentations  to  reduce  pain  and  fever,  fol- 
lowed by  a  sharp  blister  below  the  ear.  Laudanum,  one  part  to  ten 
parts  of  sweet  oil,  may  l>e  injected  into  the  ear  to  relieve  pain  and  to 
soften  the  secretions.  If  there  is  a  discharge  from  the  ear  it  should  be 
thoroughly  washed  out  by  injecting  warm  soapsuds  until  all  the  matter 
has  l»een  washed  away,  then  inject  the  following  mixture  twice  a  day: 
Sulphate  of  morphia,  4JO  grains;  water,  1  pint:  glycerine,  4  ounces. 

ABSCESS. 

Abscesses  sometimes  form  about  the  base  of  the  ear,  either  inside  or 
outside,  caused  by  contusions.  A  serous  eynt  is  found  occasionally 
between  the  cartilage  and  the  skin  on  the  base  of  the  ear,  whieh  may 
l»e  due  to  a  similar  cause. 

Trcatmnti. — Make  a,  free  incision  with  the  knife  into  the  most  promi- 
nent part  of  the  abscess  or  cyst,  then  wash  out  the  sac  with  carboli/ed 
water,  using  a  syringe  for  the  purpose.  If  the  absrcss  ivrurs,  OJKMI  it 
again,  wash  it  out,  and  inject  tincture  of  iodine,  or  fill  it  with  iodofnrui. 

3GT 


368  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

FUNGOID    GROWTHS. 

As  a  result  of  laceration,  or  wound  of  any  kind,  fungous  growths  may 
develop  on  the  ear,  characterized  by  a  raw,  bleeding,  granulating  sur- 
face, with  a  tendency  to  become  pendulous. 

Treatment. — The  whole  tumor  or  diseased  structure  should  be  cut 
away,  and  the  wound  treated  daily  with  a  dressing  of  carbolized  cos- 
moline,  or  turpentine  and  sweet  oil,  one  part  of  the  former  to  four  of 
the  latter. 

FOREIGN  BODIES  IN   THE  EAR. 

Bugs  have  been  known  to  gain  entrance  into  the  ear  of  an  animal. 
I  once  removed  an  acorn  from  the  ear  of  a  cow  that  had  been  roaming 
in  the  woods.  Accidentally,  pieces  of  wood  from  a  stanchion  may 
become  lodged  in  the  ear. 

Symptoms. — A  continuous  uneasiness  or  frequent  shaking  of  the  head, 
occasionally  the  manifestations  of  exceeding  great  pain.  The  animal 
may  rub  the  head  and  ear  against  trees  or  other  objects  in  an  endeavor 
to  dislodge  the  offending  body. 

Treatment. — A  careful  examination  will  reveal  the  offending  cause, 
which  may  be  removed  with  a  pair  of  forceps,  or  scraped  out  with  a 
hair-pin  or  piece  of  wire  bent  at  one  end.  If  much  inflammation  exists 
the  ear  may  be  swollen  so  that  the  foreign  substance  will  be  hidden 
from  sight,  then  a  probe  may  be  inserted  to  feel  for  the  object,  which, 
when  located,  should  be  removed,  even  if  it  becomes  necessary  to  split 
the  ear  at  the  base  to  do  so.  Afterward  treat  the  ear  with  frequent 
warm  water  fomentations  and  the  injection  of  soapy  water,  or  oil  and 
water. 

SCUBFY  EARS. 

Cattle  are  subject  to  scurfy  ears,  which  may  be  due  to  a  general 
morbid  condition  of  the  skin,  or  may  be  confined  to  the  ears  alone. 
The  affected  animal  shows  an  inclination  to  rub  the  ear;  thick  scales 
of  scurf  collect  on  it,  which  sometimes  have  the  appearance  of  hard, 
dry,  horny  scales.  I  believe  this  condition  is  chiefly  due  to  a  faulty 
secretion  of  the  sebaceous  glands  of  the  ear,  and  would  recommend  a 
thorough  cleansing  with  a  stiff  brush,  then  anoint  the  ear  as  far  as 
affected  with  vaseline  four  parts  to  one  part  of  white  precipitate  oint- 
ment. If  the  scurfy  ears  are  only  a  part  of  a  general  scurfiness  of  the 
skin,  the  condition  of  the  animal  needs  attention.  (See  "  Pityriasis.") 

FROSTBITE — GELATIO. 

It  is  not  uncommon  among  young  cattle  which  are  poorly  nourished 
and  exposed  outdoors  to  storms  and  extreme  cold  to  suffer  frostbite  of 
the  ear,  which  may  constitute  actual  freezing  of  the  part. 

,  Symptoms. — Gelatio  presents  naturally  every  degree  of  severity  from 
the  mere  chilling  of  the  tip  of  the  ear  to  positive  freezing  and  death  of 
a  portion.  In  a  day  or  two  after  the  freezing  has  occurred  the  ear  will 


DISEASES   OF   THE    EAR.  369 

become  swollen  and  very  painful;  the  dead  part  will  remain  cold  and 
begin  to  shrivel;  a  line  of  separation  then  forms  between  the  inflamed 
and  the  dead  or  dying  portion,  and  finally  the  piece  destroyed  drops 
off,  leaving  a  raw  healing  surface.  When  the  ear  is  only  slightly 
affected  by  the  cold  an  excoriation  or  peeling  off  of  superficial  skin 
takes  place,  accompanied  by  some  pain  and  itching. 

Treatment. — A  good  liniment  for  frozen  ears  will  be  found  in  a  mix- 
ture of  turpentine,  ammonia,  and  chloroform,  of  each  one  part,  added 
to  six  parts  of  sweet  oil.  Kub  this  on  the  ear  several  times  a  day.  It 
will  relieve  pain  and  stimulate  the  circulation,  thus  favoring  a  recovery 
of  the  injured  structures. 

LACERATIONS   OF   THE  EAR. 

Aggressive  dogs  are  the  most  frequent  cause  of  lacerated  ear,  gen- 
erally leaving  a  torn,  ragged  edge  and  bruised  cartilage. 

Treatment. — If  the  wound  is  extensive  a  trimming  of  the  ragged 
edges  becomes  necessary;  then  fasten  the  edges  together  with  silver 
wire,  catgut,  or  strong  thick  linen  thread,  taking  a  deep  hold.  Apply 
pine  tar. 

DISEASE   OF  THE   CARTILAGE   AND   NECROSIS. 

Occasionally  the  cartilages  of  the  ear  become  affected,  usually  the 
result  of  a  deep  bruise;  pus  forms,  which  burrows  under  the  skin,  and 
may  find  a  discharge  at  .any  part  of  the  ear  more  or  less  distant  from 
the  seat  of  the  disease.  When  the  cartilage  has  been  extensively 
injured,  pieces  of  it  may  become  dead — necrosed — and  dissolve,  to  be 
carried  away  with  the  pus,  or  it  may  lead  to  extensive  sloughing  and 
the  formation  of  numerous  running  sores.  In  the  disease  of  the  car- 
tilage there  is  seldom  much  swelling  or  great  pain.  The  discharge  is 
usually  very  offensive,  and  occasionally  streaked  with  blood.  When- 
ever there  is  a  long-continued  persistent  discharge  from  one  or  more 
openings  in  the  ear,  disease  of  the  cartilage  may  be  suspected. 

Treatment. — The  sinus  formed  by  the  passage  of  matter  should  be 
probed  and  searched  to  the  bottom  for  the  presence  of  a  foreign  sub- 
stance or  the  evidence  of  decaying  cartilage.  When  the  probe  touches 
necrosed  cartilage  it  will  feel  like  the  presence  of  a  piece  of  dry  leather 
or  partially  softened  wood.  A  counter  opening  must  then  be  made  at 
this  place,  and  all  diseased  cartilage  cut  away  with  the  knife.  The 
subsequent  treatment  consists  in  keeping  the  artificial  wound  open  for 
the  discharge  of  pus,  and  the  injection  of  chloride  of  zinc,  5  grains  to 
the  ounce  of  water,  once  or  twice  a  day,  until  the  wound  is  healed. 

ENCIIONDROMA   OF   THE   KAR. 

This  is  an  excessive  growth  of  cartilage,  found  at  the  base  of  the  ear 
in  the  form  of  a  hard,  painless  tumor,  firmly  attached  to  the  movable 
ear.    The  only  recourse  for  its  removal  is  the  knife  in  the  hands  of  one 
acquainted  with  the  anatomy  of  the  part  involved  in  the  operation. 
24097 i!4 


INFECTIOUS  DISEASES  OF  CATTLE. 


By  Drs.  D.  E.  SALMON  and  THEOBALD  SMITH. 


GENERAL  INTRODUCTION. 

The  importance  to  the  fanner  and  stock  raiser  of  a  general  knowl 
edge  of  the  nature  of  infectious  diseases  need  not  be  insisted  on,  as  it 
must  be  evident  to  all  who  have  charge  of  farm  animals.  The  growing 
facilities  for  intercourse  between  one  section  of  a  country  and  another 
and  between  different  countries  cause  a  wide  distribution  of  the  infec- 
tious diseases  once  restricted  to  a  definite  locality.  Not  only  the  ani- 
mals themselves,  but  the  cars,  vessels,  or  other  conveyances  in  which 
they  are  carried  may  become  agents  for  the  dissemination  of  disease. 
The  growing  tendency  of  specialization  in  agriculture  which  leads  to 
the  maintenance  of  large  herds  of  cattle,  sheep,  and  swine  makes  infec- 
tious diseases  both  more  common  and  more  dangerous.  Fresh  animals 
are  l>eing  continually  introduced  which  may  be  the  carriers  of  disease 
from  other  herds,  and  when  this  is  once  introduce*!  into  a  large  herd  the 
losses  become  very  high,  because  it  is  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to 
check  a  disease  after  it  has  once  obtained  a  foothold. 

These  considerations  make  it  plain  that  only  by  the  most  careful  super- 
vision by  intelligent  men  who  understand  the  nature  of  infectious  dis- 
eases and  their  causes  in  a  general  way  can  these  be  kept  away.  vWe 
must  likewise  consider  how  incomplete  our  knowledge  concerning  many 
diseases  is,  and  probably  will  be  for  some  time  to  come.  The  sugges- 
tions and  recommendations  offered  by  investigators  may,  therefore,  not 
always  bo  correct,  and  may  require  frequent  modification  as  our  in  form  a 
tion  grows  more  comprehensive  and  exact. 

An  infections  disease  may  be  defined  as  any  malady  caused  by  the 
introduction  into  the  Inxly  of  minute  organisms  of  a  vegetable  or  animal 
nature  which  have  the  power  of  indefinite  multiplication  and  of  setting 
free  certain  peculiar  poisons  which  are  chiefly  responsible  for  the  nior 
bid  changes. 

This  definition  might  include  diseases  due  to  certain  animal  para- 
sites, such  as  trichina',  for  example,  which  multiply  in  the  digestive 
tract,  but  whose  progeny  is  limited  to  a  single  generation.  P»y  mininnn 
consent  the  term  infectious  is  restricted  to  those  diseases  caused  by 

371 


372  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

the  invasion  and  multiplication  of  certain  very  minute  unicellular 
organisms  included  under  the  general  classes  of  bacteria  and  protozoa. 
Nearly  all  the  diseases  of  cattle,  for  which  a  definite  cause  has  been 
traced,  are  due  to  bacteria.  Among  these  are  tuberculosis,  anthrax, 
black  quarter,  and  tetanus  (or  lockjaw).  Only  one,  Texas  fever,  is 
traceable  to  protozoa,  and  one,  actinomycosis,  to  a  fungus.  Those  dis- 
eases, of  which  the  cause  is  unknown  or  imperfectly  worked  out,  are 
pleuro-pneumonia,  rinderpest,  foot-and-mouth  disease,  rabies,  cowpox, 
malignant  catarrh,  and  dysentery. 

Bacteria  may  be  defined  as  very  minute,  unicellular  organisms  of  a 
plant-like  character.  Their  form  is  very  simple,  as  may  be  seen  from 
an  inspection  of  the  various  species  depicted  on  Plate  xxix.  The 
description  of  these  figures  will  be  found  at  the  end  of  this  article. 
The  magnification  there  given  will  furnish  the  reader  some  idea  of 
their  very  minute  size.  They  multiply  in  two  ways.  The  bacterium 
elongates  and  then  divides  in  the  middle  to  form  two  daughter  cells. 
These  go  through  the  same  process  at  once  and  thus  four  cells  are  pro- 
duced. The  division  of  these  leads  to  8,  the  division  of  8  to  16,  and  so 
on  indefinitely.  The  rapidity  with  which  this  multiplication  takes 
place  depends  upon  the  nature  of  the  bacterium.  The  bacillus  of 
tuberculosis  multiplies  very  slowly,  while  that  of  anthrax  multiplies 
with  great  rapidity,  provided  both  are  in  the  most  favorable  condition. 
Another  mode  of  reproduction,  limited  to  certain  classes  of  bacteria, 
consists  in  the  formation  of  a  spore  within  the  body  of  the  bacterium. 
Spore  formation  usually  takes  place  when  the  conditions  pertaining  to 
the  growth  of  the  bacteria  become  unfavorable.  The  spores  are  much 
more  resistant  to  destructive  agents  than  the  bacteria  which  produced 
them.  The  anthrax  spore  may  live  several  years  in  a  dried  state,  but 
the  anthrax  bacillus  perishes  in  a  few  days  under  like  conditions. 
This  matter  will  be  referred  to  again  when  we  come  to  discuss  the  sub- 
ject of  disinfection. 

Of  the  protozoa  which  cause  disease  very  little  is  at  present  known. 
The  one  which  produces  Texas  fever  is  pictured  on  Plate  XLIII,  in  Figs. 
4  and  5.  These  parasites  have  a  more  complex  life  history  than  bac- 
teria, and  as  they  can  not  be  grown  in  artificial  media  their  thorough 
investigation  is  at  present  hampered  with  great  difficulties. 

The  differences  in  the  symptoms  and  lesions  of  the  various  infectious 
diseases  are  due  to  differences  in  the  respective  organisms  causing 
them.  Similarly  the  great  differences  observed  in  the  sources  from 
which  animals  become  infected  and  the  manner  in  which  infection  takes 
place  are  due  to  differences  in  the  life  history  of  these  minute  organ- 
isms. Much  discussion  has  taken  place  of  late  years  concerning  the 
precise  meaning  of  the  words  infection  and  contagion.  But  these 
words  are  now  wholly  inadequate  to  express  the  complex  processes  of 
infection,  and  it  may  be  said  that  each  species  of  bacterium  or  proto- 
zoon  has  its  own  peculiar  way  of  invading  the  animal  body,  differing 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  373 

more  or  less  from  all  the  rest.  There  are,  however,  a  few  broad  dis- 
tinctions which  may  be  expressed  with  the  help  of  these  old  terms. 
Infection,  as  laid  down  above,  refers  at  present  in  a  comprehensive 
way  to  all  microorganisms  capable  of  setting  up  disease  in  the  body. 
Some  microorganisms  are  transmitted  directly  from  one  animal  to 
another,  and  the  diseases  produced  may  be  called  contagious.  Among 
these  are  included  pleuro-pneumonia,  rinderpest,  foot-and-mouth  dis- 
ease, rabies,  cowpox,  and  tuberculosis.  Again,  certain  organisms  are 
perhaps  never  transmitted  from  one  animal  to  another,  but  may  come 
from  the  soil.  Among  these  are  tetanus,  black  quarter,  anthrax,  to  a 
large  extent,  and  perhaps  actinomycosis  in  part.  These  diseases  accord- 
ing to  some  authorities  may  be  called  miasmatic.  There  is  a  third  class 
of  infectious  diseases  of  which  the  specific  bacteria  are  transmitted 
from  one  animal  to  another,  as  with  the  contagious  diseases,  but  the 
bacteria  may,  under  certain  favorable  conditions,  find  enough  food  in 
the  soil  and  the  surroundings  of  animals  to  multiply  to  some  extent 
after  they  have  left  the  sick  before  they  gain  entrance  into  a  healthy 
animal. 

This  general  classification  is  subject  to  change  if  we  take  into  consid- 
eration other  characteristics.  Thus  tuberculosis  wo  old  not  by  many 
be  considered  contagious  in  the  sense  that  foot-and-mouth  disease  is, 
because  of  the  insidious  beginning  and  slow  course  of  the  disease.  Yet 
the  bacillus, must  come  from  preexisting  disease  in  either  case.  The 
disease  of  rabies  or  hydrophobia  is  not  contagious  in  the  sense  that 
rinderpest  is,  because  the  virus  of  rabies  must  be  inoculated  into  a 
wound  before  it  can  take  effect.  Yet,  in  both  cases,  the  virus  passes 
without  modification  from  one  animal  to  another,  though  in  different 
ways. 

Again,  all  the  diseases  under  the  second  group,  which  seem  to  come 
from  the  soil  and  from  pastures,  are  in  one  sense  contagious  in  that  the 
virus  may  be  taken  from  a  sick  animal  and  inoculated  directly  into  a 
healthy  animal  with  positive  result.  Other  illustrations  may  be  cited 
which  show  that  these  old  terms  are  not  in  themselves  satisfactory. 
There  are  so  many  conditions  which  enter  into  the  process  of  infection 
that  no  single  classification  will  give  a  sufficiently  correct  or  compre- 
hensive idea,  of  it.  These  statements  will  be  easily  understood  if  the 
different  infectious  diseases  in  the  following  pages  be  studied  with  ref- 
erence to  the  way  or  ways  in  which  each  disease  may  be  contracted. 
Enough  has  been  said,  therefore,  to  show  that  if  we  wish  to  make  our- 
selves acquainted  with  the  dangers  of  any  given  disease  we  must  study 
that  disease  and  not  rely  upon  any  single  word  to  tell  the  whole  story. 

Infectious  diseases  have,  OH  a  general  rule,  a  period  of  incubation 
which  comprises  the  time  elapsing  between  the  infection  and  the  actual 
appearance  of  the  disease.  This  period  varies  with  the  malady.  The 
most  common  symptom  of  this  class  of  diseases  is  fever.  The  seventy 
of  the  fever  is  measured  by  the  temperature  of  the  animal  and  this  is 


374  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

readily  and  accurately  ascertainable  by  the  clinical  thermometer.  (See 
Plate  in,  Fig.  1.)  The  other  symptoms  are  variable  and  depend  upon 
the  particular  organ  or  organs  most  implicated.  Loss  of  appetite, 
cessation  of  rumination  and  milk  secretion,  and  general  dullness  are 
symptoms  quite  invariably  present  in  most  infectious  diseases. 

Secondary  diseases  or  complications  may  arise  during  the  course  of 
infectious  diseases  which  are  largely  due  to  bacteria  other  than  those 
producing  the  original  malady.  These  complications  are  often  so  severe 
as  to  become  fataL  In  general  it  may  be  stated  that  they  are  due  to 
filthy  surroundings,  and  hence  cleanliness  may  become  an  important 
aid  to  recovery. 

The  treatment  of  infectious  diseases  is  given  under  each  malady  so 
far  as  this  is  allowable  or  advisable.  These  diseases  are  not,  as  a  rule, 
amenable  to  treatment.  When  the  symptoms  have  once  appeared  the 
disease  is  apt  to  run  its  course  in  spite  of  treatment,  and  if  it  is  one 
from  which  animals  usually  recover,  all  that  can  be  done  is  to  put  them 
into  the  most  favorable  surroundings.  Many  infectious  diseases  lead 
sooner  or  later  to  death,  and  treatment  is  useless  so  far  as  the  sick  are 
concerned.  But  it  may  be  worse  than  useless  for  those  not  yet  in- 
fected. All  animals  suffering  with  infectious  diseases  are  a  menace  to 
all  others  more  or  less  directly.  They  represent  for  the  time  being 
manufactories  of  disease  germs,  and  they  are  giving  them  off  more  or 
less  abundantly  during  the  period  of  disease.  They  may  infect  others 
directly  or  they  may  scatter  the  virus  about,  and  the  surroundings  may 
become  a  future  source  of  infection  for  healthy  animals.  This  leads  us 
to  the  subject  of  prevention,  as  the  most  important  of  all  which  claim 
our  attention.  In  this  place  only  a  few  general  remarks  will  suffice  to 
bring  the  subject  before  the  reader. 

The  most  important  thing  is  to  keep  disease  away  from  a  herd  or 
farm.  To  do  this  all  sick  or  suspicious  animals  should  be  avoided.  A 
grave  form  of  disease  may  be  introduced  by  apparently  mild  or  trivial 
cases  brought  in  from  without.  It  is  generally  conceded  that  continual 
change  and  movement  of  animals  are  the  most  potent  means  by  which 
infectious  diseases  are  disseminated. 

With  some  cattle  diseases,  such  as  anthrax,  black  quarter,  and  pleuro- 
pueumonia,  preventive  inoculation  is  resorted  to  in  some  countries.  This 
may  be  desirable  when  certain  diseases  have  become  stationary  in  any 
locality  so  that  eradication  is  impossible.  It  should  not  be  practiced 
in  territories  where  a  given  disease  may  still  be  extirpated  by  ordinary 
precautions.  Preventive  inoculation  is  applicable  to  only  a  few  mal- 
adies, and  therefore  its  aid  in  the  control  of  diseases  is  a  limited  one. 

When  an  infectious  disease  has  gained  foothold  in  a  herd  the  course 
to  be  pursued  in  getting  rid  of  it  will  depend  upon  the  nature  of  the 
malady.  A  good  rule  is  to  kill  diseased  animals,  especially  when  the 
disease  is  likely  to  run  a  chronic  course,  as  in  tuberculosis.  The  next 
important  step  is  to  separate  the  well  from  the  sick  by  placing  the 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF   CATTLE.  375 

former  ou  fresh  ground.  This  is  rarely  possible,  hence  the  destruction 
or  removal  of  the  sick,  with  thorough  disinfection  of  the  infected  local- 
ity, is  the  next  thing  to  be  done.  As  to  the  disinfectants  to  be  used, 
special  directions  are  given  under  the  various  diseases,  to  which  the 
reader  is  referred.  Here  we  will  simply  call  attention  briefly  to  the 
general  subject. 

Disinfection  consists  in  the  use  of  certain  substances  in  solution  which 
destroy  bacteria  or  their  spores,  or  both.  Those  which  are  cheapest  and 
most  available  for  animal  diseases  are  ordinary  freshly  slaked  lime  or 
unslaked  in  powder,  chloride  of  lime,  crude  carbolic  acid,  and  mercuric 
chloride  or  corrosive  sublimate. 

(1)  Slaked  lime  is  perhaps  the  most  easily  procured,  but  its  disin- 
fecting power  is  limited.    While  it  is  capable  of  destroying  all  bacteria 
in  their  vegetative  state,  it  is  unable  to  destroy  spores  such  as  those  of 
anthrax  and  black  quarter.     It  is  probable,  however,  that  in  incrust- 
ing  spores  it  may  destroy  their  vitality  sooner  or  later.     It  is  regarded 
as  safe  -practice  to  use  only  spore-destroying  substances  for  the  virus 
of  those  diseases  of  which  we  have  no  definite  knowledge.    Neverthe- 
less in  the  absence  of  other  disinfectants  lime  is  very  useful.     It  may 
be  employed  as  a  whitewash  on  wood  and  stone  and  sprinkled  as  a 
dilute  wasli  or  in  powder  over  yards,  manure  heaps,  and  over  carcasses 
before  they  are  buried  and  over  the  ground  on  which  they  have  lain, 
to  prevent  other  animals  from  carrying  the  infection  away. 

(2)  Chloride  of  lime  is  more  efficient  than  simple  slaked  or  unslaked 
lime,  since  it  destroys  spores.    It  is  the  ordinary  bleaching  powder  of 
commerce,  and  is  quite  unstable,  hence  old  preparations,  unless  sealed, 
are  of  little  value.    A  5  per  cent  solution  is  sufficiently  strong  for  all 
spore-bearing  bacteria  (3  ounces  in  2  quarts  of  water). 

(3)  Crude  carbolic  acid.     The  ordinary  purified  carbolic  acid  is  too 
expensive  to  be  used  on  a  large  scale,  and  the  crude  product  is  a  very 
good  substitute.    This  is  made  more  powerful  by  mixing  with  it  an 
equal  A'olnme  of  commercial  sulphuric  acid.    While  the  sulphuric  acid 
is  being  added  to  the  crude  carbolic  acid  much  heat  is  evolved,  and  if 
the  glass  jar  in  which  the  two  are  mixed  together  is  placed  in  cold 
water  the  resulting  product  is  said  to  hare  a  higher  disinfecting  power. 
The  mixture  is  added  to  enough  water  to  make  a  5  per  cent  solution 
(almut  3  ounces  to  2  quarts  of  water).     This  is  strong  enough  for  all 
purposes.     It  may  be  kept  in  wood  or  glass  but  not  in  metal,  owing  to  the 
corroding  action  of  the  acid.     It  should  be  applied  freely  on  woodwork 
and  on  infected  floors.     It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  it  may  be  inju- 
rious to  the  hands,  and  to  the  feet  of  animals  which  arc  compelled  to 
walk   in  it.     In  most  cases  where  ita  application  becomes  desirable— 
and  this  rule  Hhould  apply  to  all  disinfections — the  disinfected  stables, 
stalls,  etc.,  Hhould  remain  vacant  as  long  as  possible  before  cuttle  are 
again  put  in. 

(4)  Mercuric  chloride  or  corrosive  sublimate  is  a  powerful  disinfe.e- 


376  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

tant  but  it  is  likewise  very  poisonous,  hence  its  uses  are  limited.  A 
solution  of  one-tenth  per  cent  is  usually  sufficient  (1  ounce  to  15  gallons 
water).  It  is  corrosive,  and  hence  metal  pails  and  dishes  are  to  be 
avoided.  All  solutions  should  be  labeled  "poison,"  and  to  avoid  acci- 
dents none  should  be  kept  on  hand.  In  general  the  three  first  men- 
tioned are  safer,  and  Nos.  2  and  3  equally  powerful  in  the  solutions 
recommended. 

In  addition  to  these  artificial  substances  there  are  several  natural 
sanitary  agents  of  great  importance  as  destroyers  of  virus.  These  are 
cleanliness,  ventilation,  drying,  and  sunshine.  All  virus  excepting  such 
as  may  live  in  the  soil  is  killed  sooner  or  later  by  drying  and  sunshine, 
and  the  importance  of  these  factors  in  the  daily  life  of  animals  need  not  be 
insisted  on  here.  Finally,  all  sanitary  measures  which  contribute  to  the 
healthfulness  of  animal  surroundings  are  directly  or  indirectly  inimical 
to  disease  germs,  and  all  carelessness  in  the  keeping  of  animal s  may  b<J 
regarded  as  an  ally  of  these  destructive  organisms. 

CONTAGIOUS  DISEASES. 

(Description  of  Plate  XXIX.) 

The  bacteria  on  this  plate  are  partly  from  tissues,  partly  from  cultures,  and  stained 
artificially  with  aniline  colors  (fuchsin  or  methylene  blue).  Figs.  6  and  7  are 
copied  from  Friinkel  and  Pfeiffer's  atlas.  All  but  Fig.  7  are  magnified  1,000  times; 
Fig.  7,  500  times. 

Fig.  1.  Bacteria  from  pneumonia  in  cattle.  These  are  also  the  cause  of  Wild- 
seuche  and  Riuderseuche  in  Europe,  and  are  closely  related  to  swine-plague  bacteria 
These  bacteria  were  drawn  from  a  piece  of  spleen-pulp  (rabbit). 

Fig.  2.  Micrococci  (staphylococcus)  which  produce  inflammation  and  suppuration, 
also  pyaemia. 

Fig.  3.  Micrococci  (streptococcus)  which  produce  inflammation  of  the  liniug  mem- 
branes of  the  abdomen,  thorax,  heart,  brain,  and  joints.  Frequently  associated 
with  the  preceding  bacteria  in  abscesses. 

Fig.  4.  Bacilli  of  black  quarter.  The  pale  oval  bodies  as  well  as  the  light  spots 
in  cue  end  of  the  bacilli  represent  spores. 

Fig.  5.  Bacilli  which  produce  tetanus  or  lockjaw.  The  light  spot  in  the  enlarged 
ends  of  the  rods  represent  a  spore. 

Fig.  6.  Bacilli  of  tuberculosis.  Microscopic  sections  of  a  pearly  nodule  from  the 
lining  membrane  of  the  chest  cavity.  The  bacilli  are  stained  red  and  appear  as 
small  straight  rods  within  the  cells  of  the  nodule  or  tubercle. 

Fig.  7.  Bacilli  of  anthrax.  Bacilli  from  the  spleen  of  a  mouse  inoculated  with  a 
culture.  The  bacilli  were  obtained  from  the  blood  of  a  cow  which  died  of  anthrax 
in  Mississippi.  The  bacilli  appear  as  rods  stained  blue.  The  round  bodies  are  blood 
corpuscles,  also  stained  artificially. 

CONTAGIOUS  PLEURO -PNEUMONIA. 

Definition  and  history. — This  disease  has  been  eradicated  from  the 
United  States,  and  it  is  not  probable  that  it  will  ever  be  seen  in  this 
country  again.  As,  however,  much  interest  has  been  manifested  in  re- 
gard to  it  for  a  number  of  years,  and  as  our  cattle  are  still  prohibited 
from  some  foreign  markets  on  account  of  its  recent  existence  here,  the 
subject  is  treated  at  greater  length  than  would  otherwise  be  necessary. 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  377 

Thecontagiouspleuro-pneumoniaof  cattle  is  a  specific  epizootic  disease 
which  affects  bovine  animals,  and  from  which  other  species  are  exempt. 
It  is  characterized,  when  the  disease  results  from  exposure  in  the  usual 
manner,  by  an  inflammation  of  the  lungs  and  pleurae,  which  is  generally 
extensive,  and  which  has  a  tendency  to  invade  portions  of  these  organs 
not  primarily  affected,  and  to  cause  death  of  the  diseased  portion  of  the 
lung.  This  disease  is  frequently  called  the  Jung  plague,  which  corre- 
sponds with  its  German  name  of  Lungenaeuche.  In  French  it  is  spoken 
of  as  the  peripneunwnic  contagicuse. 

The  history  of  the  contagious  pleuro-pueumonia  of  cattle  can  not  be 
traced  with  any  certainty  to  a  period  earlier  than  the  beginning  of  the 
eighteenth  century.  2fo  doubt  it  existed  and  ravaged  the  herds  of 
Europe  for  many  years  and  perhaps  centuries  before  that  time,  but 
veterinary  knowledge  was  so  limited  that  the  descriptions  of  the  symp- 
toms and  post-mortem  appearances  are  too  vague  and  too  limited  to 
admit  of  the  identification  of  the  maladies  to  which  they  refer.  It  has 
been  supposed  by  some  writers  that  certain  passages  in  the  writings  of 
Aristotle,  Livy,  and  Virgil  show  the  existence  of  pleuro-pneumonia  at 
the  time  that  their  works  were  composed,  but  their  references  are  too 
indefinite  to  be  seriously  accepted  as  indicating  this  rather  than  some 
other  disease. 

As  early  as  1713  and  1714  it  seems  quite  plain  that  pleuro-pneumonia 
existed  in  Suabia  and  several  cantons  of  Switzerland.  Even  clearer 
accounts  are  in  existence  of  its  prevalence  in  Switzerland  in  1732, 
1743,  and  1765.  In  17G9  a  disease  of  cattle  was  investigated  in 
Franche-Cointe  by  Bourgelat  which  was  called  murie,  but  which  un- 
doubtedly was  identical  with  the  pleuro-pueuinonia  of  to-day.  From 
that  period  we  have  frequent  and  well-authenticated  accounts  of  its 
existence  in  various  parts  of  Europe.  During  the  period  from  1700  to 
1812  it  was  pread  throughout  a  large  portion  of  the  continent  of 
Europe  by  the  cattle  driven  for  the  subsistence  of  the  armies,  which 
marched  and  countermarched  in  all  directions.  It  was  generally  prev- 
alent in  Italy  in  1800.  It  appears  to  have  been  unknown,  however,  in 
the  department  of  the  Nord,  France,  until  1820,  but  during  the  years 
from  1820  to  1840  it  penetrated  into  most  parts  of  that  country.  Dur- 
ing the  same  period  it  wan  introduced  into  and  allowed  to  spread  over 
Belgium  and  Holland. 

This  contagion  is  said  to  have  been  carried  to  Ireland  from  Holland 
in  1839,  and  is  reported  as  existing  in  Kngland  in  1842.  The  disease 
was  brought  to  the  United  States  at  several  different  times.  Probably 
the  first  introduction  of  the  contagion  wa.s  with  a  diseased  cow  sold 
in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  1843.  It  came  to  New  Jersey  by  importing 
affected  animals  in  1847.  Massachusetts  was  infected  in  the  same 
way  in  1800. 

South  Africa  was  infected  by  a  bull  brought  from   Holhuul  in  18T>4, 


378  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

and  Australia  likewise  received  the  contagion  with  an  English  cow  in 
1858.  It  is  also  reported  as  existing  in  various  parts  of  the  continent 
of  Asia,  but  the  time  of  its  first  appearance  and  the  extent  of  its  dis- 
tribution are  very  uncertain. 

Some  countries,  which  had  only  been  infected  for  a  short  time,  such 
as  Norway,  Sweden,  and  Denmark,  have  succeeded  in  eradicating  the 
disease  without  much  difficulty  by  slaughtering  all  affected  and  exposed 
animals.  Other  countries  long  infected,  and  in  which  the  contagion 
was  thoroughly  established,  like  Australia,  South  Africa,  Italy,  France, 
Belgium,  and  parts  of  Germany,  have  labored  long,  in  some  cases  mak- 
ing no  progress,  and  in  others  being  only  partially  successful.  Holland 
was  one  of  the  first  of  the  thoroughly  infected  countries  to  free  itself 
from  the  contagion. 

In  the  United  States,  Massachusetts  eradicated  pleuro-pneumonia 
during  the  period  from  1860  to  1866.  New  York  and  New  Jersey  made 
an  attempt  to  eradicate  it  in  1879,  but  were  not  successful.  Late  in 
1883  the  contagion  was  carried  to  Ohio,  probably  by  Jersey  cattle  pur- 
chased in  the  vicinity  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  to  which  place  it  had  extended 
previous  to  1868.  From  the  herd  then  infected  it  was  spread  by  the 
sale  of  cattle  during  1884  to  a  limited  number  of  herds  in  Illinois,  to 
one  herd  in  Missouri,  and  to  two  herds  in  Kentucky.  The  alarm  caused 
among  the  stock-owners  of  the  United  States  by  this  widespread  dis- 
semination of  a  disease  so  much  dreaded  led  to  the  adoption  of  active 
measures  for  its  control  and  eradication.  By  cooperation  between  the 
United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  and  the  authorities  of  the 
affected  States  it"  was  found  possible  to  prevent  the  further  spread  of 
the  contagion  and  to  eradicate  it  after  a  few  months'  delay. 

In  1886  pleuro-pneumonia  was  discovered  in  some  of  the  large  dis- 
tillery stables  of  Chicago,  and  among  cows  on  neighboring  lots.  This 
led  to  renewed  efforts  to  secure  the  complete  extirpation  of  this  disease 
from  the  country.  Congress,  in  1887,  enlarged  the  appropriation  avail- 
able for  this  purpose,  and  gave  more  extended  authority.  During  the 
same  year  the  disease  was  stamped  out  of  Chicago,  and  has  not  since 
appeared  in  any  district  west  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains. 

The  work  of  eradication  was  at  the  same  time  commenced  in  all  of 
the  infected  States.  Before  the  end  of  the  year  1889  Pennsylvania, 
Delaware,  Maryland,  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  Virginia  had  been 
freed  from  the  disease.  More  difficulties,  however,  were  encountered 
in  the  States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  on  account  of  the  larger 
territory  infected  and  the  density  of  the  population.  The  long  strug- 
gle was  crowned  with  success,  however,  and  the  last  animal  in  which 
the  disease  appeared  in  the  State  of  New  York  was  slaughtered  early 
in  1891,  and  the  last  one  affected  in  New  Jersey  met  the  same  fate  early 
in  the  spring  of  1892. 

During  these  same  years  a  supreme  effort  has  been  made  to  stamp 
out  this  lung  plague  from  Great  Britain.  From  the  official  reports  it 


IM.ATK  XXIX 


)  V. 


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Fig.  4 


Fig. 


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WHICH  iM/nnrcK  IMSKASH  IN'CATTLK 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  379 

s 

appears  that  the  number  of  infected  districts  and  of  diseased  animals 
have  rapidly  diminished,  and  there  is  good  reason  to  believe  that  if  the 
work  is  continued  for  a  sufficient  time  it  will  meet  with  success.  The 
chief  obstacle  appears  to  be  in  connection  with  Ireland,  where  the  con- 
tagion is  believed  to  be  widely  disseminated  and  where  the  activity  of 
the  authorities  is  not  so  manifest  as  in  England  and  Scotland.  If  the 
contagion  is  allowed  to  linger  in  Ireland  it  is  very  plain  that  Great 
Britain  can  never  long  remain  free  from  it. 

The  other  infected  European  countries,  though  they  maintain  a  vet- 
erinary sanitary  service,  are  not  making  satisfactory  progress  in  eradi- 
cating the  disease.  This  is  due  partly  to  delays  in  carrying  out  the 
provisions  of  the  laws  and  partly  to  mistaken  ideas  as  to  the  measures 
which  are  necessary  to  accomplish  the  object.  The  United  States  was 
the  last  of  the  countries,  having  old  infected  districts,  which  undertook 
to  stamp  out  this  contagion,  and,  excepting  Holland,  it  is  the  first  to 
reach  success. 

The  cause  (etiology)  of  pleuro-pnenmonia. — This  is  a  contagious  dis- 
ease, and  on  the  American  continent,  at  least,  it  only  arises  by  contagion 
from  a  previously  affected  animal.  It  is,  consequently,  never  seen  here 
except  as  the  result  of  importing  affected  animals  from  the  Old  World. 
When  thoroughly  stamped  out  it  does  not  reappear,  and  if  imported 
animals  continue  to  be  properly  inspected  and  quarantined  we  have 
every  reason  to  believe  that  pleuro-pneumonia  will  never  again  be  seen 
affecting  the  cattle  of  this  country. 

The  exact  nature  of  the  virus  or  contagion  of  lung  plague  has  never 
been  determined.  Efforts  have  been  made  by  the  methods  now  common 
in  bacteriology  to  cultivate  and  isolate  the  pathogenic  germs,  but  up 
to  the  present  these  have  not  been  successful.  Various  investigators 
have  from  time  to  time  claimed  the  discovery  of  the  specific  germs  of 
the  disease,  but  in  every  case  these  claims  have  proved  to  be  unfounded* 
The  methods  now  in  use  for  such  investigations  do  not  appear  proper 
for  the  discovery  of  these  germs.  They  do  not  multiply  in  any  of  the 
substances  which  are  used  to  cultivate  other  disease  germs,  and  they 
are  not  revealed  by  the  most  advanced  methods  of  microscopical 
research.  That  this  disease  is  caused  by  microorganisms  of  some  kind 
appears  certain  from  our  knowledge  of  the  cause  of  other  contagion* 
diseases,  and  these  no  doubt  will  l>e  discovered  when  our  methods  of 
research  are  sufficiently  advanced. 

As  the  specific  cause  of  the  disease  is  not  known,  we  arc,  of  course, 
uncertain  in  regard  to  many  of  the  characters  of  the  virus  and  of  the 
conditions  necessary  for  it  to  retain  its  virulence  when  outside  of  the 
animal  body.  Some  investigators  and  writers  arc  of  the  opinion  that 
the  disease  can  only  be  contracted  by  an  animal  coining  near  enough  to 
a  living  diseased  animal  to  receive  the  contagion  directly  from  it.  They 
hold  that  the  contagion  is  expired  with  the  air  from  the  affected  lungs, 
and  that  it  must  l>c  almost  immediately  inspired  by  another  animal  in 


380  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

order  to  produce  the  disease.  Some  experimental  attempts  to  infect 
animals  by  placing  them  in  stables  where  diseased  animals  have  been, 
and  by  placing  the  diseased  lungs  of  slaughtered  animals  in  their  feed- 
ing troughs  have  failed,  and,  consequently,  apparently  confirm  this 
view. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  is  known  that  the  serum  from  affected  lungs 
retains  its  virulence  and  maybe  used  successfully  for  inoculation  weeks 
or  months  after  the  death  of  the  animal  from  which  it  was  taken.  This 
is  particularly  the  case  when  this  liquid  is  hermetically  sealed  in  glass 
tubes.  Other  investigators  state  that  they  have  successfully  infected 
cattle  by  placing  in  the  nostrils  sponges  or  pledgets  of  cotton  saturated 
with  such  serum.  Cattle  have  also,  according  to  the  best  evidence 
attainable,  been  infected  from  the  clothing  of  attendants,  from  horns 
used  in  drenching,  and  from  smelling  about  wagons  which  have  been 
used  to  transport  carcasses  of  animals  affected  with  this  disease.  In 
the  work  of  eradicating  pleuro-pneumonia  from  the  United  States  many 
stables  have  been  found  in  which  the  disease  would  appear  and  reappear 
after  the  slaughter  of  affected  herds,  and  in  spite  of  any  precautions 
which  could  be  adopted.  These  were  always  old  stables,  with  wood- 
work in  a  decaying  condition  and  with  floors  underlaid  with  filth  which 
could  not  be  thoroughly  removed  or  disinfected.  In  everyone  of  these 
cases  the  destruction  of  the  stable,  the  burning  of  the  lumber  of  which 
it  was  constructed,  the  removal  of  the  accumulations  beneath  the  floors, 
and  the  thorough  disinfection  prevented  the  recurrence  of  the  plague  in 
new  stables  built  upon  the  same  premises.  This  experience  conclusively 
shows  that  under  certain  conditions,  at  least,  stables  may  retain  the 
infection  for  a  considerable  time,  and  that  when  restocked  the  disease 
may  break  out  again  from  such  infection. 

As  a  rule,  however,  the  disease  is  acquired  by  a  healthy  animal  being 
near  to  an  affected  one  and  receiving  the  contagion  direct.  Affected 
animals  may  give  off  the  contagion  in  the  early  stages  of  the  disease 
before  the  symptoms  are  apparent  to  the  observer,  and  they  may  retain 
this  infectious  character,  if  they  survive  the  attack,  for  six  months  and 
probably  for  a  year  after  all  symptoms  of  the  disease  have  disappeared. 

Incubation. — The  time  which  elapses  between  exposure  to  the  conta- 
gion of  pleuro-pneumonia  and  the  first  appearance  of  the  symptoms  of 
this  disease  varies  greatly  with  different  individuals  and  with  different 
outbreaks  of  the  disease.  Ordinarily  the  symptoms  of  disease  make 
their  appearance  within  from  three  to  six  weeks  after  exposure  ;  but 
they  may  be  observed  within  two  weeks  or  they  may  not  become  ap- 
parent until  nearly  or  quite  three  months.  It  is  this  long  period  of 
incubatfon,  and  the  great  length  of  time  that  an  animal  may  dissemi- 
nate the  contagion  after  apparent  recovery,  which  give  the  plague  that 
insidious  character  so  often  spoken  of,  and  which  greatly  increases  the 
difficulties  of  eradication. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  such  as  would  be  expected  with  inflani- 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  381 

mat-ion  of  the  lungs  and  pleurae,  but  they  vary  considerably  according 
To  the  type  which  the  disease  manifests.  If  the  attack  is  anacuteone, 
;is  is  frequently  seen  in  hot  weather,  the  symptoms  appear  suddenly, 
the  breathing  becomes  rapid  and  difficult,  the  animal  grunts  or  moans 
with  each  expiration,  the  shoulders  stand  out  from  the  chest,  the  head 
is  extended  on  the  neck,  the  back  is  arched,  the  temperature  is  104°  to 
107°,  the  milk  secretion  is  suspended,  there  is  no  appetite,  rumination 
is  stopped,  the  animal  may  bloat  and  later  be  affected  with  a  severe 
diarrhea.  Such  cases  are  generally  fatal  in  from  seven  to  twenty  days. 

Very  often  the  attack  comes  on  slowly  and  the  symptoms  are  much 
less  clear.  In  the  mildest  cases  there  is  a  cough  for  a  week  or  two,  but 
no  appreciable  loss  of  appetite  or  elevation  of  temperature.  The  lungs 
are  but  slightly  affected  and  recovery  soon  follows.  Such  animals  may 
disseminate  the  contagion  for  a  long  time  without  being  suspected,  and 
lor  that  reason  are  the  most  dangerous  of  all. 

A  more  severe  type  of  the  plague  is  the  most  frequently  seen.  In 
these  cases  the  cough  is  frequent,  more  or  less  painful,  the  back  some- 
what arched,  and  the  milk  secretion  diminished.  The  prominence  of 
these  symptoms  increases,  the  appetite  is  affected,  the  animal  loses  flesh, 
the  breathing  becomes  more  rapid,  the  cough  more  painful,  pressure  of 
the  fingers  between  the  ribs  shows  tenderness,  the  hair  loses  its  gloss 
and  stands  erect,  the  skin  becomes  adherent,  little  if  any  milk  is  secreted, 
and  the  temperature  rises  to  103°  or  105°.  Animals  thus  affected  may 
continue  to  grow  worse  and  die  in  from  three  to  eight  weeks,  or  they 
may  after  a  time  begin  to  improve  and  make  an  apparent  recovery. 
The  inflammation  of  the  lung  does  not,  as  a  rule,  subside  and  the  organ 
return  to  its  normal  condition  as  is  the  case  in  ordinary  pneumonia,  but 
with  this  disease  the  life  of  the  affected  portion  of  the  lung  is  destroyed, 
the  tissue  dies  and  a  fibrous  wall  is  formed  around  it  to  shut  it  away 
from  the  living  parts  of  the  body.  The  tissue,  thus  encysted,  gradu- 
ally softens,  becomes  disintegrated  and  breaks  down  into  pus.  The 
recovery,  therefore,  is  not  complete;  it  is  only  apparent  and  partial. 

To  tho.se  accustomed  to  examining  the  lungs  of  cattle,  other  and 
extremely  important  symptoms  may  be  detected  during  the  course  of 
the  disease.  By  applying  the  ear  over  the  walls  of  the  chest  an  area 
of  a  certain  extent  may  be  found  where  the  natural  breathing  sound  is 
diminished  or  entirely  lost.  This  represents  the  diseased  portion  of  the 
lungs.  In  other  cases  a  loud  blowing  sound  may  be  heard,  quite  dif- 
ferent from  any  sound  produced  when  the  lung  is  in  a  healthy  con- 
dition. In  some  cases  crepitation  is  heard  near  the  border  line  of  the 
diseased  area,  and  friction  sounds  produced  by  the  roughened  pleura; 
but  these  can  only  be  appreciated  by  those  whose  ears  have  been 
trained  to  distinguish  between  the  different  sounds  which  reach  the 
ear  when  applied  to  the  chest  wall.  By  pemission,  that  is,  by  pressing 
the  fingers  of  the  left  hand  (irmly  against  the  wall  of  the  chest  and  tup- 
ping UIKIII  the  middle  finger  with  the  ends  of  the  fingers  of  the  right 


382  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

hand,  an  area  of  dullness  may  be  discovered  corresponding  to  the  por- 
tion where  the  respiratory  murmur  has  disappeared.  This  loss  of  res- 
piration detected  by  ausculation,  and  the  dullness  brought  out  by 
percussion,  are  the  most  important  evidences  of  an  inflamed  or  consoli- 
dated lung. 

Seriously  affected  animals  remain  standing,  if  they  have  sufficient 
strength,  but  those  which  lie  down  always  lie  on  the  affected  side. 

The  proportion  of  animals  which  become  affected  after  being  exposed 
varies  according  to  the  virulence  of  the  outbreak,  the  susceptibility  of 
the  animals,  and  the  length  of  time  during  which  exposure  is  continued. 
Sometimes  not  over  15,  20,  or  30  per  cent  will  contract  the  disease  when 
a  large  herd  is  exposed;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  80  or  90  per  cent  may 
be  affected.  The  proportion  of  cases  in  which  the  disease  proves  fatal 
also  varies  greatly — it  may  not  exceed  10  per  cent  and  it  may  reach  50 
per  cent.  In  general  it  may  be  said  that  about  40  per  cent  of  the 
exposed  animals  will  contract  the  disease  and  about  one-half  of  these 
cases  will  prove  fatal. 

Post-mortem  appear a jwes. — Owing  to  the  complexity  of  the  structure 
of  the  lung  tissue,  its  ramifications  of  bronchial  tubes  and  blood-vessels 
and  its  abundant  supply  of  lymphatics,  the  pathological  changes  in 
pleuro-pneumonia  are  but  imperfectly  understood  and  interpreted  with 
great  difficulty.  Our  ignorance  as  to  the  nature  of  the  exciting  cause 
adds  to  this  difficulty.  Furthermore  there  are  certain  kinds  of  pneu- 
monia which  present  some  resemblances  to  pleuro-pneumonia  and  which 
may  therefore  be  confused  with  it  in  some  of  its  phases. 

If  we  kill  an  animal  affected  with  acute  pleuro-pueumonia  and  exam- 
ine the  cavity  of  the  chest  and  lungs  the  following  appearances  will  be 
noted: 

The  thorax  may  contain  more  or  less  serum,  which  may  be  clear  or 
clouded.  There  may  be  firm  adhesions  of  different  parts  of  the  lungs  to 
the  chest  wall,  the  extent  of  which  depends  on  the  stage  and  severity 
of  the  disease.  The  diseased  lobes  are  unusually  large  and  exceedingly 
firm  to  the  touch.  The  weight  of  a  single  large  lobe  may  reach  40 
pounds.  Usually  only  one  side  is  affected,  often  but  a  single  lobe,  and 
this  most  commonly  the  large  or  principal  lobe.  The  pleura  may  be 
covered  with  one  or  more  layers  of  a  firm,  elastic  grayish  membrane, 
which  varies  in  thickness  and  which  sometimes  may  be  pulled  away 
entirely.  Sometimes  it  is  absent.  The  pleura,  however,  is  opaque  and 
apparently  very  much  thickened.  This  is  due  to  the  diseased  condition 
of  the  connective  tissue  beneath  the  pleura,  as  will  be  explained  further 
on.  When  ail  affected  lobe  is  cut  through  at  right  angles  to  its  long 
diameter  the  cut  surface  will  present  a  variety  of  interesting  changes. 
In  the  first  place,  the  spaces  between  the  small  subdivisions  of  the  lung 
(the  lobules),  which  in  the  healthy  lung  are  barely  visible,  are  distended 
with  a  yellowish  white,  usually  quite  firm,  substance,  which  is  coagu- 
lated fibrin.  The  cut  surface  thus  appears  divided  up  into  small  fields 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  383 

by  yellowish  white  bands  of  varying  thickness  running  in  various  direc- 
tions through  the  lung  tissue  and  beneath  the  pleura.  (Plate  xxxii.) 
These  bands  may  appear  honeycombed  and  the  spaces  filled  with  yel- 
lowish fluid  (seruin)  or  they  may  be  uniformly  solid.  It  \\ill  also  be 
noticed  that  the  space  immediately  outside  of  and  around  the  artery, 
vein,  and  air-tube  is  similarly  broadened  by  fibrinous  deposits.  Some 
authorities  look  upon  these  bands  as  constituting  the  so-called  marbling 
of  pleuro-pneumonia. 

In  addition  to  these  changes  which  have  taken  place  in  the  connective 
tissue  between  the  lobules,  the  lung  tissue  itself  may  be  markedly 
altered.  Certain  areas  of  the  cut  surface  may  be  very  firm  in  texture 
and  brownish  red  in  color.  The  cut  surface  is  granular  or  roughened, 
not  smooth  to  the  eye.  Other  areas  equally  firm  may  be  more  grayish 
yellow  in  color,  still  others  may  be  blackish.  (Plate  xxxui.)  Besides 
these  areas  which  represent  solidified  (hepatized)  lung  tissue  there  may 
be  others  which  approach  the  normal  lung  tissue  in  color  and  which  are 
soft  and  float  in  water.  From  these  a  milky  purulent  fluid  may  often 
be  expressed.  These  different  shades  are  represented  in  Plate  xxxn, 
Fig.  2?  within  a  small  compass.  Some  authorities  are  inclined  to  con- 
sider these  variations  in  color  on  the  same  cut  surAice  as  the  so-called 
marbling^of  pleuro-pneumonia.  It  matters  not  whether  we  regard  the 
bauds  between  the  lobules  or  the  varying  shades  of  the  lobules  them- 
selves as  the  marbling,  provided  either  or  both  are  peculiar  to  conta- 
gious pleuro-pneumouia.  If  we  examine  the  blood-vessels  appearing 
on  such  a  cut  surface  they  will  usually  be  found  plugged  within  the 
firmly  hepatized  regions.  The  artery  contains  a  dark,  soft,  removable 
clot,  the  vein  a  grayish  pink,  granular,  fragile  plug  (thrombus)  which 
adheres  firmly  to  the  wall  of  the  vein,  and  if  this  be  slit  open,  indica- 
tions of  a  diseased  condition  of  the  inner  coat  will  be  readily  detected. 
When  large  regions  of  the  lung  tissue  are  hepatized  the  main  air-tube 
and  its  branches  are  usually  filled  with  grayish,  cylindrical  branched 
masses  of  fibrin  easily  removed,  as  they  do  not  adhere  to  the  mucous 
membrane. 

The  views  of  pathologist**  differ  as  to  the  nature  of  the  earliest 
changes  in  plenro-pneumouia,  and  it  is  not  within  the  scope  of  this 
work  to  present  imperfectly  developed  or  controverted  theories.  In  the 
foregoing  description  we  have  taken  as  a  type  the  acute  pleuro-pueu- 
monia  in  its  fully  developed  phase,  which  can  scarcely  be  mistaken  for 
any  other  disease.  We  have  seen  that  there  is  an  inflammatory  condi 
tion  of  the  connective  tissue  between  the  lobules,  resulting  in  the  exu- 
dation of  coagulahlc  lymph.  This  inflammation  is  equally  marked 
around  the  blood  vessels  and  air  tubes.  It  leads  to  iniiammatory 
changes  in  the  inner  wall  of  the  veins,  and  these  cause  the  dejiosition 
of  thrombi  or  plugs  in  the  vessels,  which  prevent  the  return  of  the 
blood.  The  blood  pumped  into  the  lung  tissue  through  the  artery,  but 
unable  to  get  out  by  way  of  the  vein,  leaves  the  mesh  work  of  capil- 


384  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

laries  around  the  air  vesicles,  enters  the  latter,  and  produces  the  firm 
hepatized  condition  so  characteristic  of  this  disease.  It  will  be  easily 
understood  how  the  different  shades  of  color  from  dark  red  to  grayish 
or  yellowish  red  are  produced  if  we  bear  in  mind  that  the  veins  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  lung  tissue  are  plugged  at  different  times,  and  that, 
therefore,  the  affected  regions  are  in  different  stages  of  disease. 

The  complete  plugging  of  the  veins  may  lead  to  the  death  of  cir- 
cumscribed masses  of  lung  tissue.  A  line  of  separation  forms  between 
the  living  and  the  dead  tissue  and  a  thick  cyst  wall  of  fibrous  tissue 
forms  around  the  latter.  The  dead  tissue  for  a  time  preserves  the 
appearance  of  lung  tissue,  then  undergoes  disintegration  and  lique- 
iaction.  The  softened  mass  is  finally  absorbed  and  the  walls  of  the 
cyst  or  capsule  around  it  gradually  collapse  and  form  a  cicatrix.  This 
favorable  termination  takes  place  only  when  the  dead  mass  is  not  too 
large.  This  may,  however,  involve  over  a  half  of  one  of  the  large 
lobes.  Under  such  circumstances  recovery  is  improbable.  A  more 
favorable  termination  is  the  abundant  growth  of  fibrous  tissue  around 
and  into  the  hepatized  masses.  The  formation  of  fibrous  tissue  may 
extend  to  the  pleura  or  lung  covering  and  cause  firm  adhesion  of  the 
lungs  to  the  chest  wall  and  to  the  pericardium  or  heart-case. 

The  same  peculiar  inflammatory  changes  which  take  place  between 
the  lobules  of  the  lung  and  around  the  bronchi  and  vessels  may  invade 
the  pleural  cavity,  cause  extensive  membranous  and  spongy  deposits 
on  the  pleura  and  firm  deposits  around  the  heart  and  large  arteries,  the 
gullet,  and  windpipe. 

These  are  the  main  features  of  the  lung  disease  caused  by  contagious 
pleuro-pneumonia.  In  the  typical  acute  cases  there  are  a  sufficient 
number  of  peculiarities  to  enable  us  to  make  a  positive  diagnosis. 
There  are,  however,  many  cases  in  which  the  disease  is  restricted  to 
small  areas,  or  to  the  interlobular  tissue,  or  in  which  the  changes  are 
as  yet  imperfectly  developed,  or  else  so  far  advanced  that  doubts  may 
arise  as  to  the  true  nature  of  the  affection.  In  such  cases  all  obtain- 
able facts,  including  the  history  of  the  case,  the  symptoms  during  life, 
and  the  pathological  changes  observed  on  post-mortem  examination 
must  be  taken  into  consideration.  Only  one  who  has  made  a  careful 
study  of  the  disease  is  fitted  to  decide  in  such  cases. 

Other  kinds  of  lung  disease  may  be  confounded  with  pleuro-pneu- 
monia because  of  certain  features  common  to  most  lung  diseases  of 
cattle.  The  inflammation  of  the  connective  tissue  between  the  lobules 
is  not  infrequently  observed  in  so-called  interstitial  pneumonia  and  may 
lead  to  the  formation  of  whitish  bands  intersecting  the  lung  tissue  in 
various  directions.  On  the  cut  surface  these  bands  may  give  rise  to  a 
decidedly  "  marbled  "  appearance.  Again,  in  traumatic  pneumonia,  due 
as  its  name  implies  to  the  entrance  of  foreign  bodies  into  the  lung 
tissue,  generally  from  the  paunch,  the  connective  tissue  around  the 
place  of  disease  becomes  inflamed  and  thickened  and  the  disease  itself 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OP    CATTLE.  385 

may  simulate  pleuro-pneumonia  in  its  retrogressive  stages  when  it  is 
confined  to  a  small  portion  of  lung  tissue.  The  filling  up  of  the  inter- 
lobular  spaces  with  fibrin  and  connective  tissue  of  inflammatory  origin 
is  not  thus  limited  to  pleuro-pneumonia,  but  may  appear  in  a  marked 
degree  in  other  lung  diseases.  It  must  not  be  inferred  from  this  state- 
ment that  these  interlobular  changes  are  necessarily  the  same  as  those 
in  pleuro-pneumonia,  although  they  may  appear  the  same  to  the  naked 
eye.  We  simply  note  their  presence  without  discussing  their  nature. 

In  general  the  distinction  between  pleuro-pneumonia  and  broncho- 
pneumonia  is  not  difficult  to  make.  In  the  latter  disease  the  pneumo- 
nia generally  invades  certain  lobes  as  indicated  by  the  dotted  line  on 
Plate  xxx.  The  disease  attacks  the  smaller  lobes  in  their  lowest  por- 
tions first  and  gradually  extends  upward, «'.  e.,  toward  the  root  of  the 
lung  or  the  back  of  the  animal  and  backward  into  the  large  principal 
lobes.  Again  both  lungs,  in  advanced  cases,  are  often  symmetrically 
affected,  as  shown  by  the  dotted  line  on  both  lungs  in  the  plate  referred 
to.  In  contagions  pleuro-pneumonia  the  large  principal  lobe  of  one 
side  is  most  frequently  affected,  and"  a  symmetrical  disease  of  both 
lungs  is  very  rare,  if,  in  fact,  it  has  ever  been  observed.  The  lung 
tissue  in  broncho-pneumonia  is  not  enlarged,  but  rather  more  contracted 
than  the  normal  tissue  around  it.  This  is  well  illustrated  in  Plate  xxxi. 
Normal  air-containing  lobules  may  be  scattered  among  and  around  the 
hepatized  portion  in  an  irregular  manner.  In  pleuro-pneumonia  the 
diseased  and  healthy  portions  are  either  sharply  divided  off,  one  from 
the  other,  or  else  they  shade  into  each  other  by  intermediate  stages. 

The  hepatized  lung  tissue  in  broncho-pneumonia  when  the  cut  sur- 
face is  examined  is  usually  of  a  more  or  less  dark  flesh  color  with  paler 
grayish  yellow  dots  regularly  interspersed,  giving  it  a  peculiar  mottled 
appearance.  In  the  more  advanced  stages  it  becomes  more  firm,  and 
may  contain  nodular  and  firmer  masses  disseminated  through  it.  The 
air-tubes  usually  contain  more  or  less  soft  creamy  or  cheesy  pus  or  a 
turbid  fluid  quite  different  from  the  loose  ftbrinous  casts  of  acute  pleuro- 
pneumonia.  The  iuterlobular  tissue  may  or  may  not  be  affected.  It 
sometimes  contains  loose  tibrinous  plugs,  or  it  may  be  greatly  distended 
with  air,  especially  in  the  still  normal  portions  of  the  lung.  The  pleura 
is  seldom  seriously  diseased.  If  we  contrast  with  these  features  the 
firm,  dark  red  hepatizations,  the  plugging  of  the  veins,  the  extensive 
intcrlobular  deposits  and  the  well-marked  pleuritis  in  pletiro  pneumo- 
nia, there  is  little  chance  for  confusion  between  well-developed  cases  of 
the*e  two  lung  diseases. 

It  should  not  be  forjrottcn,  however,  that  the  lesions  of  the  disease 
known  as  contagious  pleuro  pneumonia  may  be  confined  to  the  serous 
membranes  of  the  thorax,  or  they  may  IMS  confined  to  the  parenchyma 
of  the  lungs;  they  may  affect  a  whole  lobe,  or  only  a  small  portion  of 
the  lobe;  they  may  or  may  not  cause  the  so-called  marbled  appearance. 
In  the  same  way  broncho-pneumonia  may  vary  as  to  the  parts  of  the 
24097 25 


386  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

lung  affected,  the  extent  of  the  lesions,  the  degree  and  kind  of  patho 
•logical  changes  in  the  interlobular  tissue,  the  color  of  the  lung  on  cross 
section  and  the  amount  of  hepatization.  In  individual  cases,  therefore, 
it  is  often  necessary  in  the  present  condition  of  science  to  take  into 
account  the  history  of  the  animal,  the  course  of  the  disease,  and  the 
eommuuicability  of  the  affection  before  a  diagnosis  can  be  made  between 
the  two  diseases. 

Prevention  and  treatment. — The  prevention  of  pleuro-pneumouia,  as  of 
other  contagious  diseases,  consists  in  keeping  animals  so  that  they  will 
not  be  exposed  to  the  contagion.  As  the  disease  only  arises  by  conta- 
gion; there  is  no  possibility  of  an  animal  becoming  affected  with  it 
unless  it  has  been  exposed.  If,  therefore,  pleuro-pneuniouia  exists  in 
a  locality  the  owner  of  healthy  cattle  should  make  every  effort  to  keep 
his  animals  from  coming  near  those  which  are  affected,  or  near  any 
which  have  been  exposed.  He  should  be  equally  particular  not  to  allow 
any  person  who  has  been  on  the  infected  premises  to  visit  his  own  pas- 
tures, stables,  or  cattle. 

If  pleuro-pneumonia  breaks  out  in  a  herd  every  animal  in  that  herd 
should  be  slaughtered,  the  stables  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned  and 
disinfected,  and  no  other  cattle  should  be  allowed  on  the  premises  until 
a  period  of  ninety  days  has  elapsed. 

Medical  treatment  of  affected  animals  is  unavailing  and  should  not 
be  attempted.  Xo  matter  how  valuable  the  diseased  animals  may  have 
been  before  they  contracted  the  disease,  they  should  be  at  once  destroyed 
and  the  contagion  eradicated.  This  is  the  best  policy  for  the  individ- 
ual as  well  as  for  the  community. 

The  eradication  of  this  disease  by  local  or  national  governments  can 
only  be  successful  when  the  same  principles  are  adopted  and  carried 
out  as  are  here  recommended  for  individual  stables.  It  is  then  a  diffi- 
cult undertaking,  simply  because  the  contagion  is  generally  widely  dis- 
seminated before  any  measures  are  adopted,  and  because  a  great  major- 
ity of  cattle-owners  will  never  report  the  existence  of  the  disease.  Reg- 
ulations must  therefore  be  enforced  which  will  insure  the  prompt  dis- 
covery of  every  herd  in  which  the  disease  appears,  as  well  as  the 
destruction  of  all  diseased  and  exposed  animals  and  the  thorough  disin- 
fection of  the  premises. 

To  discover  pleuro-pneumonia  sufficiently  early  for  this  purpose  the 
district  supposed  to  be  infected  should  be  clearly  defined  and  a  suffi- 
cient force  of  inspectors  should  be  constantly  employed  to  inspect  every 
herd  in  that  district  at  least  once  in  two  weeks,  or  better,  once  a  week. 
Ko  bovine  animal  should  be  allowed  to  go  out  of  the  defined  district 
alive,  and  all  which  enter  it  should  be  carefully  inspected  to  insure 
their  freedom  from  disease.  As  an  assistance  to  the  discovery  of  dis- 
eased herds,  every  animal  which  dies  in  the  infected  district  from  any 
cause,  and  every  animal  which  is  slaughtered,  even  if  apparently  in 
good  health,  should  be  the  subject  of  a  careful  post-mortem  examination. 
Many  affected  herds  will  be  found  in  this  way. 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  387 

In  addition  to  these  measures  it  is  also  necessary  to  guard  against 
the  removal  of  animals  from  one  stable  to  another,  and  the  mixing  of 
herds  upon  common  pastures  or  in  the  public  highways.  The  object 
must  be  to  isolate  every  individual's  cattle  as  completely  as  possible,  or 
otherwise  a  single  affected  animal  may  infect  a  dozen  or  more  herds. 
To  prevent  surreptitious  sale  or  trading  of  cattle,  each  animal  must 
in  some  way  be  numbered  and  recorded  in  the  books  kept  by  the  official 
in  charge  of  the  district.  In  the  work  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agri- 
culture a  numbered  metal  tag  has  been  fastened  to  every  animal's  ear, 
and  index  books  have  been  so  arranged  that  with  a  number  given  the 
owner  could  be  at  once  ascertained,  or  from  the  owner's  name  the  cattle 
for  which  he  was  responsible  could  be  at  once  learned.  In  this  way  if 
an  animal  was  missing  from  a  stable  the  fact  became  apparent  at  once, 
or  if  one  animal  too  many  was  found  in  a  stable  the  number  in  its  ear 
would  indicate  where  it  came  from. 

When  pleuro-pneumonia  is  discovered  by  these  means  the  entire 
herd  should  be  slaughtered  as  soon  as  the  formalities  of  appraisement 
can  be  arranged.  In  country  districts  the  carcasses  should  be  buried, 
as  it  is  generally  impracticable  to  dispose  of  them  in  any  other  way. 
In  city  districts  the  animals  may  be  taken  to  a  slaughter-house,  with 
such  precautions  as  are  possible  to  prevent  dissemination  of  the  con- 
tagion. The  animals  should  be  slaughtered  under  the  supervision  of 
an  inspector.  The  healthy  carcasses  may  be  utilized  for  food,  but  the 
blood,  eutrailsj  and  all  diseased  carcasses  should  be  heated  to  a  tem- 
perature equal  to  or  above  boiling  water,  and  then  used  for  the  manu- 
facture of  fertilizers. 

The  disinfection  of  premises  should  be  thorough  and  should  be  car- 
ried out  by  a  trained  corps  of  men  employed-  for  that  purpose.  The 
floors  of  stables  should  be  removed,  the  accumulations  removed  from 
beneath  them,  the  contents  of  hay-lofts  should  be  destroyed,  and  the 
woodwork  and  soil  beneatli  the  stables  should  be  thoroughly  drenched 
with  a  solution  of  bichloride  of  mercury,  one  part  to  two  thousand  of 
water.  After  the  flooring  is  replaced  the  woodwork  should  be  coated 
with  lime  wash,  containing  one-fourth  i>ound  of  chloride  of  lime  to  the 
gallon  of  mixture. 

Usually  in  these  cases  the  owners  are  dc]>cndcnt  upon  their  herd  of 
cows  for  their  living,  and,  consequently,  it  is  difficult  or  impossible  to 
hold  the  stables  vacant  for  any  considerable  period.  In  a  majority  of 
instances  cattle  maybe  at  once  admitted  to  stables  so  disinfected,  with- 
out the  reappearance  of  the  disease.  Occasionally,  however,  it  will 
reappear  without  apparent  cause.  For  this  reason  the  inspection  and 
other  measures  must  be  maintained  in  the  infected  district  for  six 
months  or  a  year  after  the  last  case  of  disease  has  been  disposed  of. 

Many  people  have  objected  to  the  slaughter  of  diseased  and  exjiosed 
animals  as  an  unscientific  and  expensive  method  of  eradicating  this 


388  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

disease.  To  these  it  may  be  answered  that  it  is  the  only  method  -which 
has  ever  proved  successful,  and  that  in  the  end  it  is  much  more  eco- 
nomical than  temporizing  measures. 

Inoculation  has  been  adopted  in  many  countries,  and  has  undoubt- 
edly lessened  the  death  rate,  but  the  disease  is  kept  up  and  spreads 
where  this  practice  is  allowed.  For  this  reason  it  should  be  prohibited 
wherever  there  is  a  possibility  and  disposition  to  eradicate  the  con- 
tagion. 

PLEURO-PNEUMOXIA. 

[Description  of  plates.] 

PLATE  XXX.  The  dorsal  or  upper  surface  of  the  lungs  of  the  ox  reduced  to  one 
sixth  of  the  natural  size :  a,  a',  the  right  and  the  left  principal  lobe.  Those  are  the 
largest  and  are  situated  posteriorly,  resting  upon  the  diaphragm ;  &,  I',  the  ventral 
lobes,  situated  between  the  principal  lobes,  and  c,  c',  c",  the  most  anterior  or 
cephalic  lobes;  c,  c',  c",  anterior  or  cephalic  lobes.  The  right  auterior  is  divided  into 
two  lobes  (c,  c'),  the  left  is  single  (c") ;  d,  trachea  or  windpipe. 

Those  portions  of  the  lung  tissue  lying  outside  of  the  dotted  lines  are  the  ones 
most  commonly  affected  in  the  ordinary  types  of  pneumonia.  In  the  majority  of 
the  lungs  examined  in  the  laboratory  of  the  Bureau,  which  were  affected  with  con- 
tagious pleuro-pneumonia,  the  principal  lobes  (a,  a')  were  primarily  affected. 

PLATE  XXXI.  The  ventral  or  middle  lobe  of  the  right  lung  affected  with  collapse 
and  beginning  broncho-pneumonia.  The  light  yellowish  portions  represent  healthy 
lung  tissue,  the  red  represents  the  disease.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  lines  between 
the  lobules  are  quite  faint,  indicating  little  or  no  inflammation  of  the  connective 
tissue  between  the  lobules.  The  healthy  lung  tissue  is  seen  to  be  raised  above  the 
level  of  the  diseased  portion.  In  contagious  pleuro-pneumouia  the  exact  reverse  is 
the  case,  the  diseased  portions  being  very  much  larger  than  the  healthy. 

PLATE  XXXII.  Appearance  of  a  cow's  lung  affected  with  contagious  pleuro-pneu- 
monia when  sections  or  slices  are  made  of  it  and  cut  surfaces  examined.  Fig.  1. 
Transverse  section  through  the  right  principal  lobe  in  a  case  of  acute  pleuro-pneu- 
inonia.  The  area  drawn  includes  the  air -tubes,  veins,  and  arteries,  and  illustrates 
the  great  thickening  of  the  interlobular  connective  tissue  into  broad  whitish  bands, 
and  of  the  walls  of  the  air-tubes,  veins,  and  arteries:  a,  air-tube,  cut  obliquely;  a', 
air-tube  cut  directly  across ;  b,  arteries  cut  across ;  c,  large  vein  completely  occluded 
by  a  thrombus,  or  plug  formed  during  life.  The  great  thickening  of  the  walls  of  the 
artery  and  vein  in  this  disease  is  especially  brought  out  by  stating  that  in  the 
healthy  lung  they  are  so  thin  as  to  be  easily  overlooked.  Fig.  2.  Transverse  sect  ion 
of  the  principal  lobe  in  a  case  of  acute  pleuro-pneumonia,  illustrating  the  different 
kinds  of  hepatization  or  consolidation  of  the  lung.  These  arc  indicated  by  the 
different  colors  from  dark  red  to  reddish  yellow.  This  variation  of  color  is  regarded 
by  some  as  the  real  marbling  characteristic  of  pleuro-pneuuionia,  while  the  whitish 
bands  penetrating  the  lung  tissue  in  all  directions  constitute  the  true  marbling  ac- 
cording to  other  observers. 

PLATE  XXXIII.  Illustrates  what  are  called  infarctions  in  pleuro-pneumonia.  The 
right  half  of  the  figure  shows  nearly  normal  lung  tissue.  The  left  represents  a 
blackish  mass  in  Avhich  the  lung  tissue  is  filled  with  blood  and  solidified.  This  is 
caused  by  the  plugging  of  the  vein  carrying  away  the  blood  from  this  portion. 
The  heart  forces  the  blood  through  the  artery  into  the  tissue  at  considerable  pres- 
sure, but,  owing  to  the  fact  that  its  return  is  prevented,  the  minute  blood-vessels 
rupture  and  the  air  vesicles  become  distended  with  blood  which  coagulates  and 
causes  the  firmness  of  the  tissue. 


Pl.ATK  XXX 


ITPPKI?  OR   HOHSAI.    SI-WACK   OFTIIK    l,t    NOS   OK  THK    OX 

'•  nnlurnl    .si 7.0 


PI.'ATE  xxxi 


I  U  /  (  >  N ; ,'    I  M  >       I  •  \|  .  I    \  I  (  >  .\  I   \ 


IM.ATK  XXXII 


f/' 


Fijj.  1 


< '<»,  r.\<;i<>rs    iM.KriM)    PXI.I 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  389 

RINDERPEST. 

Rinderpest,  also  known  as  cattle  plague,  is  an  acute  infectious  dis- 
ease of  cattle  in  which  the  digestive  organs  are  mainly  involved. 
Though  unknown  in  this  country,  the  importance  of  having  near  at 
hand  a  few  definite  facts  concerning  this  disease,  should  it  ever  reach 
our  shores,  will  be  at  once  appreciated.  A  knowledge  of  such  facts 
may  aid  in  an  early  recognition  of  the  disease.  It  must  not  be  for- 
gotten, on  the  other  hand,  that  a  superficial  knowledge  of  diseases, 
such  as  the  layman  may  gain  through  reading,  not  infrequently  leads  to 
confounding  comparatively  harmless,  nouinfectious  maladies  Avith  such 
as  are  truly  dangerous  (foot-and-mouth  disease,  rinderpest,  etc.),  and 
causes  temporary  panics  among  stock-owners. 

liinderpest  has  its  home,  according  to  some  authorities,  in  the  terri- 
tory around  the  Black  Sea  and  the  Volga  River  in  Russia,  according  to 
others,  in  Central  Asia.  Thence  it  has  been  conveyed  at  various  times 
by  cattle  to  the  countries  of  western  Europe,  where  it  has  proved  a 
veritable  bovine  scourge.  It  probably  visited  Europe  as  early  as 
the  beginning  of  the  Christian  era,  and  the  migrations  of  people  from 
the  far  East  have  since  then  introduced  the  disease  from  time  to  time. 
Especially  during  the  eighteenth  century  it  was  more  or  less  prevalent 
in  Europe,  owing  to  the  frequent  wars,  during  which  herds  of  cattle  were 
brought  from  eastern  Europe  and  Asia  to  supply  the  demands  of  the 
armies.  As  late  as  1870  it  prevailed  in  Europe  during  the  Franco- 
Prussian  war. 

The  virus  is  conveyed  from  one  country  to  another  chiefly  by  means 
of  infected  cattle.  The  railroad  facilities  of  the  present,  which  furnish 
the  means  of  such  rapid  communications,  are  particularly  liable  to  aid 
in  the  dissemination  of  the  disease. 

In  the  past  rinderpest  has  been  supposed  identical  with  various  hu- 
man diseases,  among  them  smallpox  and  typhoid  fever.    These  sup 
positions  are  unfounded,  and  the  view  of  authorities  to-day  is  that  it 
is  a  disease  of  a  peculiar  kind,  not  identical  with  any  other  known 
infectious  disease. 

The  contayium  of  Ihc  rinderpest. — The  cause  of  rinder^st  must  be 
looked  for  among  microorganisms — most  likely  bacteria.  The  investi- 
gations made  thus  far  hardly  permit  us  to  draw  any  positive  conclu- 
sions. It  was  formerly  supposed  by  various  authorities  that  rinder]H\st 
virus  appeared  spontaneously  under  the  influence  of  deteriorated  food 
and  long  and  exhausting  drives,  also  during  unusual  meteorological 
conditions.  This  view,  however,  is  no  longer  maintained.  It  is  proba- 
ble that  the  disease  in  it*  homo  in  Asia  is  perpetuated  by  continual  in- 
fection of  fresh  animals,  and  some  authorities  even  go  so  far  aa  to  be- 
lieve that  the  disease  would  1>«  entirely  stamped  out,  even  in  its  native, 
haunts,  by  :i  destruction  of  all  sick  and  inferted  herds.  However  this 
may  be,  the  success  of  sack  an  undertaking  would  largely  depend  on 


390  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  nature  of  the  cause.  If  a  strictly  parasitic  organism,  like  the  con- 
tagium  of  pleuro-pneumouia,  it  might  be  completely  extirpated  in  this 
way.  If,  however,  the  germs  or  bacteria  may  live  and  multiply  outside 
of  the  bovine  body,  in  the  soil,  water,  or  some  other  animal,  extirpation 
would  be  impossible. 

The  virus  may  be  transmitted  from  sick  to  healthy  animals  in  a  vari- 
ety of  ways,  both  direct  and  indirect.  It  is  said  to  be  present  in  the 
various  excreta  of  the  diseased,  such  as  the  discharges  from  the  nose 
and  the  saliva,  the  urine,  and  the  manure.  It  retains  its  vitality  out- 
side of  the  body  in  a  moist  state  for  months,  even  a  year  or  more, 
according  to  some  authorities.  Hence  manure  and  the  fodder  and  bed- 
ding soiled  with  the  discharges  may  convey  the  disease.  When  dried, 
however,  its  vitality  is  said  to  be  lost  in  a  few  days.  Persons  may 
carry  the  virus  on  their  shoes,  clothing,  and  implements.  Even  small 
animals,  such  as  cats  and  rats,  which  frequent  barns  and  stables  have 
been  looked  upon  as  carriers  of  the  virus. 

Cattle  are  very  susceptible  to  the  disease,  and  in  its  virulent  type 
all  those  exposed  are  said  to  become  infected.  Buffaloes,  sheep,  and 
goats  are  likewise  susceptible,  but  in  a  less  degree. 

It  is  also  claimed  that  animals  after  having  passed  through  one  attack 
are  able  to  resist  successfully  future  attacks.  Inoculation  with  virus 
is  said  to  produce  immunity,  but  the  process  of  inoculation  itself  is 
followed  by  death  in  many  cases. 

Symiitoms. — The  symptoms  of  rinderpest  are  not  very  characteristic, 
and  hence  the  diagnosis  of  a  suspected  case  in  the  beginning  of  an 
invasion  is  attended  with  difficulties.  Certain  appearances  which  are 
characteristic  of  one  epizootic  may  be  absent  in  another.  Different 
observers  are  not  quite  agreed  as  to  the  most  constant  and  important. 

The  period  of  incubation,  i.  <?.,  the  time  elapsing  between  the  expos- 
ure to  infection  and  the  earliest  outward  symptoms,  varies  from  3  to  9 
days.  Then  the  first  sign  is  a  very  high  fever  temperature,  which  may 
reach  107°  F.  The  heat  of  the  skin  varies  in  different  parts  of  the 
body,  and  may  be  felt  at  the  base  of  the  ears  and  horns.  Eepeated 
chills  are  frequently  observed.  The  pulse  reaches  50  to  GO  beats  per 
minute,  and  may  rise  to  90  or  100  in  very  severe  attacks. 

The  animal  manifests  great  debility.  The  head  droops  a\id  rests  on 
some  object  of  support.  One  or  both  ear's  may  droop.  The  coat  is 
staring  and  the  muzzle  dry.  The  secretion  of  milk  diminishes  very 
rapidly.  Within  twelve  to  twenty  hours  the  usual  quantity  may  have 
become  reduced  one-half  or  two-thirds.  The  back  is  arched,  and  the 
four  limbs  brought  together  under  the  body. 

As  the  disease  progresses  symptoms  with  reference  to  the  digestive 
and  respiratory  organs  become  prominent.  The  mucous  membrane  of 
the  mouth,  the  nose,  as  well  as  that  of  the  rectum  and  vagina,  becomes 
reddened  either  in  patches  or  diffusely,  and  assumes  a  scarlet  hue.  The 
discharges,  at  first  firm,  become  softer,  and  soon  diarrhea  sets  in.  This 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  391 

is  said  to  be  one  of  the  most  constant  symptoms.  The  rectum  may 
become  everted  and  paralyzed,  and  the  bowels  move  spontaneously. 
The  discharges  may  be  streaked  with  blood.  Coughing  is  a  common 
symptom,  and  by  some  considered  characteristic.  It  is  associated  with 
discharges  from  the  nose  and  vagina,  and  dribbling  of  saliva  from  the 
mouth.  The  eyes  also  are  affected.  There  is  an  increased  formation 
of  a  viscid  secretion  which  flows  down  the  face. 

Another  series  of  changes  prominent  in  some  epizootics  and  mild  or 
absent  in  others  are  the  ulcers  or  so-called  erosions  in  the  mouth. 
These  begin  as  red  patches  and  streaks.  The  mucous  membrane  in  such 
localities  is  converted  into  a  grayish-white  slough,  which,  when  shed, 
leaves  a  small  erosion  or  ulcer.  At  the  same  time  similar  changes  may 
go  on  in  the  skin  of  the  thighs,  the  udder,  or  the  scrotum,  and  about 
the  vagina,  which  lead  to  small  sloughs. 

In  severe  cases,  which  are  the  most  common  in  the  susceptible  cattle 
of  western  Europe,  death  ensues  four  to  seven  days  after  the  first 
appearance  of  the  disease,  and  is  preceded  by  great  emaciation  and 
debility,  fetid,  purulent  discharges  from  nose  and  mouth,  and  the 
relaxed  rectum  and  vagina. 

After  death,  if  the  animal  be  opened  and  the  organs  carefully  exam- 
ined, the  chief  changes  will  be  found  in  the  digestive  organs.  The 
lining  membrane  of  the  mouth  and  pharynx  is  covered  with  mucus,  is 
reddened  in  spots,  and  shows  superficial  yellowish  gray,  cheesy  patches, 
which  represent  dead  tissue  and  when  removed  expose  ulcerated  depres- 
sions. The  same  reddening  in  spots  and  the  yellowish  gray,  clicesy 
deposits  or  patches  are  found  in  the  fourth  stomach,  the  small  intes- 
tines, and  more  rarely  in  the  crecum,  while  the  third  stomach  or  many- 
plies  is  more  or  less  impacted  with  dry,  hard  food.  Similar  changes 
may  be  found  on  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  nasal  cavity,  the  uterus, 
vagina,  and  rectum.  In  addition  to  these  lesions  are  others  with  refer- 
ence to  the  heart,  liver,  and  other  vital  organs,  which  need  not  concern 
us  here. 

Neither  treatment  nor  inoculation  is  permitted  in  European  countries. 

FOOT-AND-MOUTH  DISEASE. 

This  disease  is  also  known  as  epizootic  aphtha,  aphthous  fever,  eczema 
epizootica,  and  may  be  defined  as  an  acuto,  highly  contagious  fever  of  a 
specific  nature,  characterized  by  the  eruption  of  vesicles  or  blisters 
in  the  mouth,  around  the  coronets  of  the  feet,  and  between  the  toes.  It 
is  not  restricted  to  cattle,  but  attacks  swine  with  equal  facility.  Sheep 
and  goats  are  less  susceptible.  Horses,  dogs,  cats,  and  fowls  are  rarely 
attacked.  Human  beings  may  become  infected  by  drinking  the  unboiled 
milk  from  animals  suffering  with  the  disease.  In  such  cases  the  symp- 
toms resemble  those  observed  in  animals.  There  is  fever  and  diOieulty  in 
swallowing,  followed  by  an  eruption  of  blisters  in  the  mouth  and  very 
rarely  by  similar  ones  on  the  lingers.  The  disease  is  very  seldom  fatal. 


392  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

and  chiefly  restricted  to  children  and  to  those  adults  who  handle  sick 
animals  or  drink  large  quantities  of  unboiled  inilk.  Some  veterina- 
rians regard  the  human  affection  as  by  no  means  uncommon  in  countries 
where  foot-and-mouth  disease  prevails,  but  that  the  disturbance  of 
health  is  usually  too  slight  to  come  to  the  notice  of  the  family  doctor. 

The  disease  prevails  in  European  countries  and  occasions  great  losses. 
Although  the  actual  mortality  is  quite  low,  and  not  more  than  1  to  3  per 
cent  of  the  affected  animals  die,  serious  losses  result  from  the  diminu- 
tion of  the  milk  secretion  and  consequent  interference  with  the  busi- 
ness of  the  dairy.  There  is  likewise  more  or  less  loss  of  flesh  in 
animals. 

According  to  the  very  accurate  statistics  collected  by  the  German 
Empire,  431,235  head  of  cattle,  230,868  sheep  and  goats,  and  153,808 
swine  were  affected  with  the  disease  in  that  country  in  1890.  The 
infection,  quite  insignificant  in  1880,  had  been  gradually  spreading 
until  it  reached  the  enormous  figures  given  above  in  1890.  During 
this  same  year  it  prevailed  in  France,  Italy,  Belgium,  Austria-Hungary, 
Switzerland,  Koumania,  and  Bulgaria. 

Contrary  to  most  other  infectious  diseases,  foot-and-mouth  disease 
may  attack  the  same  animals  repeatedly,  provided  the  intervals  between 
the  attacks  are  longer  than  six  to  twelve  months.  The  immunity  or 
protection  conferred  is  thus  only  of  limited  duration.  Hence  protective 
inoculation  with  the  virus,  in  whatever  manner  it  may  be  practiced,  is 
not  only  of  no  use  but  decidedly  dangerous,  as  it  will  introduce  the 
disease.  It  is,  however,  not  uncommon  in  European  countries  to  practice 
inoculation  after  the  disease  has  appeared  in  a  herd  in  order  to  hasten 
its  progress.  This  is  highly  recommended  by  some,  since  it  not  only 
hastens  the  infection,  but  the  disease  is  apt  to  be  milder  and  limited  to 
the  mouth.  It  consists  in  nibbing  with  the  finger  or  a  piece  of  cloth  a 
little  of  the  mucus  from  the  mouth  of  a  diseased  animal  upon  the  inner 
surface  of  the  upper  lip  of  those  to  be  inoculated.  From  50  to  75  per  cent 
of  the  inoculated  animals  take  the  disease. 

As  with  other  communicable  diseases,  the  source  and  origin  of  foot- 
and-mouth  disease  has  given  rise  to  much  speculation.  The  disease  had 
been  known  in  Europe  for  centuries,  but  it  was  not  until  a  comparatively 
recent  date  that  the  erroneous  conceptions  of  its  spontaneous  origin  as 
a  result  of  climatic  and  metorological  conditions,  exhausting  journeys, 
etc.,  were  abandoned.  It  is  now  generally  conceded  that  foot-and-mouth 
disease  is  propagated  by  a  specific  virus  and  that  every  outbreak  starts 
from  some  preexisting  outbreak. 

The  infection  is  contained  in  the  eruptions,  and  hence  shed  from  the 
mouth  and  the  feet.  A  wide  distribution  of  the  virus  and  a  rapid  infec- 
tion of  a  herd  is  the  result.  Animals  may  be  infected  directly  by  coming 
in  contact  with  the  diseased,  or  they  may  be  exposed  to  the  virus  in 
stables,  in  the  field  and  along  roads,  in  cars,  and  in  all  places  shortly 
before  frequented  by  diseased  cattle.  Human  beings  may  carry  the 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  393 

vims  on  their  clothing  and  transmit  it  on  their  hands  when  milking, 
since  the  udder  is  occasionally  the  seat  of  the  eruption.  Milk  in  a  raw 
state  may  also  transmit  the  disease  to  animals  fed  with  it. 

The  observations  made  by  some  veterinarians  would  lead  us  to  sup- 
pose that  the  virus  is  quite  readily  destroyed.  It  is  claimed  that  stables 
thoroughly  cleaned  become  safe  after  drying  for  a  short  time.  Hence 
litter  of  all  kinds,  such  as  manure,  soiled  hay,  and  straw,  may  remain 
infective  for  a  longer  time  because  they  do  not  dry  out.  Other  author- 
ities maintain  that  the  virus  is  quite  tenacious  and  may  live  in  stables 
even  as  long  as  a  year.  They  also  state  that  animals  which  have  passed 
through  the  disease  may  be  a  source  of  infection  for  several  months 
after  recovery. 

Symptoms. — After  a  period  of  incubation,  lasting  from  three  to  five 
days  and  sometimes  not  longer  than  two  days,  the  disease  begins  with 
a  fever.  The  temperature  does  not  as  a  rule  rise  above  104°  F.  The 
lining  membrane  of  the  mouth  becomes  reddened,  the  appetite  is  dimin- 
ished, and  rumination  ceases.  The  mouth  is  usually  kept  closed  and 
the  quantity  of  saliva  is  increased.  A  smacking  sound  is  not  infre- 
quently made  by  the  animal.  These  symptoms  are  chiefly  due  to  the 
pain  accompanying  the  disease  in  the  mouth.  After  two  or  three  days 
the  eruption  appears.  This  consists  of  small  yellowish- white  vesicles 
or  blisters,  about  as  large  as  a  hemp  seed  or  a  pea,  on  the  gums  and 
inner  surface  of  lips,  the  inside  of  the  cheeks,  the  border  and  under 
surface  of  the  tongue.  They  may  become  half  an  inch  or  more  in  diam- 
eter. In  some  cases  the  back  of  the  tongue  near  the  tip  may  be  the 
seat  of  large  blisters. 

These  vesicles  burst  soon  after  their  appearance,  sometimes  on  the 
first  day.  More  rarely  they  may  persist  two  or  three  days  if  small. 
After  they  have  ruptured  the  grayish  white  membrane  forming  the 
blister  may  remain  attached  for  a  day  or  more,  or  disappear  speedily 
and  leave  deeply  reddened  spots  or  erosions,  which  are  very  painful. 
These  exposed  spots  may  soon  become  covered  again  with  the  normal 
epithelium,  or  else  bo  converted  into  ulcers  under  unfavorable  condi- 
tions. In  this  stage  the  saliva  forms  in  large  quantities  and  hangs  in 
strings  from  the  mouth.  In  eight  to  fourteen  days  the  disease  may 
have  entirely  disappeared. 

In'addition  to  the  changes  going  on  in  the  mouth,  one  or  more  feet 
may  become  diseased.  The  skin  around  the  coronet  and  in  the  cleft 
between  the  toes  becomes  hot  and  tender  and  may  swell.  Blisters  ap- 
pear in  the  inoutli,  but  they  are  speedily  ruptured,  and  the  inflamed, 
exposed  spots  covered  with  a  viscid  substance  (exudate). 

The  disease  may  attack  ttlu>  udder  in  cows,  or  more  particularly  the 
teats.  Some  authorities  regard  the  udder  disease  merely  as  the  result 
of  infection  during  milking.  The  vesieles  are  broken  as  they  appear 
by  the  hands  of  the  milker,  and  the  teats  become  covered  with  red- 
dened spots  deprived  of  the  superficial  layer  of  skin,  and  are  very 


394  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.    • 

tender.  The  healing,  however,  goes  on  quite  rapidly.  The  milk  is 
said  to  be  somewhat  changed  in  appearance.  It  becomes  viscid  and 
coagulates  more  quickly  and  is  more  or  less  unfit  for  making  butter 
and  cheese. 

These  are  the  main  symptoms  accompanying  an  uncomplicated  case 
of  foot-and-mouth  disease.  In  all  such  recovery  is  rapid  and  complete; 
but  occasionally  complications  arise  which  are  not  only  very  injurious 
but  may  be  fatal.  Thus  the  mouth  lesions  may  be  accompanied  by 
nasal  catarrh  or  pneumonia.  The  feet,  especially,  are  liable  to  suffer 
when  neglected.  They  may  become  very  much  swollen,  and  the  inflam- 
mation and  suppuration  extend  to  the  tendons  and  bones  of  the  foot, 
or  the  hoof  may  be  shed.  In  such  cases  the  animals  rarely  recover. 

As  a  result  of  the  general  affection  young  calves  may  succumb  to  a 
secondary  inflammation  of  the  stomach  and  bowels,  and  older  animals 
may  abort  or  suffer  from  inflammation  of  the  udder. 

Treatment. — As  the  disease  is  mild  and  tends  to  rapid  recovery,  no 
general  treatment,  excepting  that  which  tends  to  put  the  animals  in  the 
best  condition,  is  required.  Since  the  secondary  diseases  and  compli- 
cations are  the  most  injurious,  and  as  they  are.  largely  the  result  of 
other  bacteria,  the  greatest  care  should  be  exercised  in  keeping  the 
animals  and  their  surroundings  clean.  The  bedding  should  be  light  and 
dry,  and  frequently  changed  to  prevent  further  injury  to  the  feet.  The 
animals  should  not  stand  upon  hard  or  rough  floors. 

To  relieve  the  irritation  in  the  mouth  various  solutions  have  been 
recommended.  Among  these  are  borax,  1  ounce  in  3  pints  of  water; 
•water  containing  vinegar  and  salt;  alum  1  ounce  in  a  quart  of  water. 
These  may  be  applied  with  a  syringe  or  poured  in  from  a  bottle,  or  else 
an  irri gator  may  be  improvised  by  attaching  a  funnel  to  a  rubber  tube. 
The  funnel  is  elevated  and  the  liquor  poured  into  it.  The  pressure 
necessary  may  be  increased  or  diminished  by  raising  or  lowering  the 
funnel.  The  injections  may  be  practiced  once  or  twice  a  day,  and  about 
half  a  pint  injected  each  time.  The  blisters  should  not  be  opened. 

For  the  feet  in  mild  cases,  in  addition  to  cleanliness  and  proper  bed- 
ding, nothing  is  required.  Some  veterinarians,  however,  recommend 
antiseptic  and  astringent  applications  to  prevent  further  mischief.  For 
this  purpose  they  may  be  gently  bathed  in  water  containing  1  ounce  of 
alum  to  the  pint,  or  in  Burow's  solution  (powdered  alum  1  ounce,  pow- 
dered lead  acetate  2  ounces,  water  3  quarts).  Carbolic  acid,  1  ounce  in 
3  pints  of  water,  or  equal  parts  of  wood  tar  and  olive  oil  are  recom- 
mended. At  the  same  time  some  veterinarians  state  that  these  sub 
stances  communicate  unpleasant  odors  to  the  milk  and  therefore  should 
only  be  used  for  oxen  and  young  animals. 

For  the  affection  of  the  teats  simple  glycerine  or  glycerine  contain- 
ing one-fourth  dram  of  boracic  acid  to  the  ounce  may  be  applied  several 
times  a  day,  or  zinc  ointment  containing  preferably  30  drops  of  the 
tincture  of  opium  to  the  ounce.  Burow's  solution  given  above  may 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  395 

also  be  applied.     Care  should  be  taken  to  withdraw  the  inilk  at  proper 
intervals. 

VESICULAR   ERUPTION   OF   THE   GENITAL   ORGANS. 

This  contagious  disease  is  iiot  known  in  our  country,  but  it  is  more 
or  less  prevalent  on  the  Continent.  It  is  the  subject  of  legislation  in 
Germany,  and  governmental  statistics  are  published  annually  concern- 
ing its  distribution  in  the  Empire.  According  to  the  latest  reports 
5,782  head  of  cattle  were  attacked  during  1890,  and  there  has  been  a 
constant  increase  in  the  number  of  cases  since  1886. 

A  similar  or  perhaps  identical  disease  of  horses  has  the  same  distri- 
bution. Whether,  however,  such  disease  is  transmissible  from  horses 
to  cattle  and  vice  versa  has  not  been  definitely  determined. 

The  disease  may  be  defined  as  a  highly  contagious  eruption  situated 
upon  the  external  genital  organs  of  both  sexes,  and  accompanied  with 
little  or  no  general  disturbance  of  health.  The  contagion  is  transmitted 
mainly  during  copulation.  The  bull  may  have  the  disease  and  convey 
it  to  all  the  cows  with  which  he  comes  in  contact.  Or  he  may  become 
infected  by  one  cow,  and,  although  not  showing  the  disease,  he  may 
transmit  it  for  several  days  after  to  all  other  cows  during  copulation. 
Simple  contact  between  one  cow  and  another  may  convey  the  disease, 
or  the  sponges  used  in  cleaning  the  diseased  may  carry  the  virus  to 
the  healthy. 

Symptoms. — The  period  elapsing  between  the  infection  and  the  appear- 
ance of  symptoms  is  somewhat  variable.  It  is  usually  given  as  three  to 
six  days.  It  juay  be  briefer  or  much  longer.  In  cows  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  vagina  and  the  vulva  become  swollen,  reddened,  and  very 
tender.  The  secretion  is  very  abundant  and  consists  at  first  largely  of 
serum  and  mucus.  Small  vesicles  then  appear  which  rapidly  burst  and 
are  converted  into  excoriations  or  deeper  ulcerations.  The  secretion 
becomes  more  purulent,  and  is  apt  to  dry  in  crusts  about  the  root  of  the 
tail.  The  eruption  in  accompanied  with  much  itching  and  difficulty  in 
urinating.  The  walk  may  be  stiff'  and  awkward.  In  bulls  the  eruption 
is  situated  on  the  prepuce  and  the  end  of  the  penis,  and  is  accompanied 
by  a  little  purulent  discharge  from  the  prepuce,  itching  and  difficulty 
in  urinating.  In  severe  cases  the  inflammation  and  swelling  may  extend 
backward  to  the  scrotum  and  forward  upon  the  abdomen. 

The  disease  lasts  from  two  to  four  weeks,  and  always  terminates  in 
recovery.  The  acute  stage  lasts  only  four  or  live  days,  while  the  com- 
plete healing  of  the  inflammation  is  slow.  The  eruption  is  usually  ae- 
companied  by  very  little  general  disturbance.  If  the  pain  and  irrita- 
tion are  severe  there  may  be  some  slight  loss  of  appetite  and  diminished 
milk  secretion. 

Treatment  need  not  be  resorted  to  excepting  in  severe  eases.  The 
secretion  and  exudation  should  be  washed  oft'  anil  a  mild  antiseptic 
applied,  such  as  a  1  per  cent  solution  of  carbolic  acid  (I  ounce  to  3 


396  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

quarts  of  water).  Care  must  be  taken  not  to  carry  the  disease  from 
the  sick  to  the  well  by  sponges,  etc.,  which  have  come  in  contact  with 
the  affected  organs.  These  should  be  destroyed.  To  prevent  the  spread 
of  the  disease  the  infected  animals  should  be  kept  isolated  until  they 
have  recovered. 

BABIES   OR   HYDROPHOBIA. 

Babies  is  a  disease  which  seems  to  originate  in  the  canine  race  and 
which  may  be  transmitted  to  other  species  of  animals  and  to  man 
through  bites.  There  are  some  writers  who  maintain  that  it  may  arise 
spontaneously  in  the  dog  without  previous  inoculation.  The  advances 
made  in  our  knowledge  by  the  researches  of  Pasteur  and  others  do  not 
favor  this  view,  but  lead  directly  to  the  inference  that  rabies  is  always 
communicated  from  a  preceding  case,  and  that  it  never  originates  spon- 
taneously. 

We  must  assume,  therefore,  that  the  disease  is  always  transmitted 
by  the  bite  of  the  rabid  animal.  The  saliva  contains  the  virus  which 
is  introduced  into  or  under  the  skin  on  the  tooth  of  the  rabid  animal. 

By  no  means  are  all  bites  followed  by  rabies.  According  to  some 
authorities  only  one-fourth  of  the  inoculated  cattle  become  diseased. 
This  low  percentage  may  be  due  to  the  kind  of  wound  inflicted.  When 
the  bleeding  is  very  profuse  the  virus  may  be  washed  out  at  once.  As 
to  the  nature  of  this  virus  nothing  is  definitely  known,  although  Pas- 
teur and  his  co-workers  have  made  prolonged  efforts  in  this  direction. 

In  general  the  virus  behaves  like  bacterial  poisons.  It  may  be  trans- 
mitted from  one  animal  to  another  by  simple  inoculation,  just  as  we 
may  preserve  the  virus  of  other  infectious  diseases. 

From  these  facts  it  becomes  evident  that  the  virus  of  rabies  can  only 
be  transmitted  directly  from  the  sick  to  the  healthy,  and  that  for  this 
transmission  a  wound  is  necessary.  Since  the  virus  is  contained  in  the 
saliva,  the  disease  may  be  artificially  produced  by  inoculating  an  animal 
with  the  saliva  of  some  rabid  animal.  Healthy  animals,  from  the  nature 
of  the  case,  can  not  carry  the  virus.  It  is  still  a  widely  prevalent  belief 
that  if  persons  or  animals  are  bitten  by  a  dog,'  for  instance,  they  are 
liable  to  become  rabid  when  such  a  dog  contracts  rabies  at  any  time  in 
the  future.  There  is  no  foundation  for  such  belief,  and  it  would  be  a 
great  comfort  to  many  people  who  are  now  and  then  bitten  by  animals 
if  such  belief  were  given  up.  There  is  no  foundation  for  the  theory 
that  rabies  may  be  caused  by  the  bite  of  an  animal  which  has  been 
inoculated,  but  in  which  the  disease  has  not  yet  appeared.  All  exper- 
ience, both  scientific  and  practical,  goes  to  show  that  rabies  is  trans- 
mitted only  by  animals  actually  diseased. 

Babies  is  not  a  very  uncommon  disease  in  cattle  in  those  regions 
where  rabid  dogs  are  occasionally  found.  Thus  in  the  German  Empire 
carefully  compiled  statistics  have  shown  that  next  to  dogs  cattle  are 
more  frequently  affected  than  any  other  of  the  domesticated  animals. 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  397 

In  1890  590  dogs,  98  head  of  cattle,  11  cats,  and  9  pigs  were  found 
rabid.  These  figures  are  easily  explained  when  we  take  into  considera- 
tion the  relation  between  dogs  and  cattle.  The  latter  are  very  much 
exposed  to  the  bites  of  the  former  on  pastures.  It  is  also  well  known 
that  dogs  are  more  or  less  trained  and  incited  to  worry  cattle  at  all 
times.  The  latter  receive  bites  most  frequently  on  the  hind  legs  and  in 
the  hips  and  about  the  lower  jaw.  These  places  are  most  accessible  to 
dogs,  owing  to  the  habit  of  cattle  to  drive  their  tormentors  away  by 
lowering  their  head  and  using  their  horns. 

The  virus  after  being  deposited  in  the  wound  by  the  bite  of  a  rabid 
animal,  remains  latent  for  a  time.  This  period  of  incubation  is  quite 
variable  in  duration.  One  veterinarian  (Gerlach)  collected  the  statis- 
tics of  133  cases,  and  found  this  period  to  vary  from  14  to  285  days. 
The  majority  of  cases,  however,  contract  the  disease  in  from  one  to  three 
months  after  the  bite  has  been  inflicted. 

Symptoms. — The  disease  may  be  divided  into  a  preliminary  stage,  a 
stage  of  excitation  or  madness,  and  a  paralytic  stage.  In  all  cases  the 
termination  is  fatal  and  the-cntire  course  is  from  5  to  G  days.  The  pre- 
liminary stage  is  indicated  by  loss  of  appetite  and  rumination,  great 
restlessness,  anxiety,  and  manifestation  of  fear.  The  second  stage  is 
characterized  by  increasing  restlessness,  loud  roaring  at  times  with 
changed  voice,  violent  butting  with  the  horns  and  pawing  the  ground 
with  the  feet.  A  constant  symptom  is  the  increased  secretion  of  saliva 
which  hangs  from  the  mouth  in  strings,  and  which  may  be  frothy.  Con- 
stipation is  marked,  and  there  is  manifested  a  continual  effort  to 
defecate,  which  is  unsuccessful.  Spasms  of  the  muscles  in  different 
parts  of  the  body  are  also  present  at  intervals. 

In  the  final  stage  symptons  of  paralysis  appear,  especially  in  the 
posterior  limbs,  and  the  walk  becomes  stiff,  unsteady,  and  swaying. 
Complete  paralysis  of  the  posterior  half  of  the  body  may  appear  be- 
fore death.  In  this  final  stage  the  body  is  very  much  emaciated,  in 
spite  of  the  brief  duration  of  the  disease.  It  should  also  be  stated  that 
there  in  no  fever  or  elevation  of  temperature  during  the  disease.  If 
cattle  which  have  succumbed  to  rabies  be  opened  very  slight  evidence 
of  disease  will  be  found  anywhere.  The  blood  is  dark  and  imperfectly 
coagulated.  The  throat  may  be  reddened  and  there  may  be  small  spots 
of  extra  vasated  blood  in  the  intestines.  The  stomachs  arc  usually  empty. 
In  the  spleen  there  may  be  hemorrhagie  enlargements  (infarcts).  The 
cadavers  rapidly  undergo  decomposition. 

It  is  not  an  easy  matter  to  decide  whether  a  given  animal  has  rabies, 
since  the  symptons  and  the  lesions  given  al>ove  belong  in  part  to  a 
variety  of  other  diseases.  The  positive  evidence  that  a  rabid  dog  has 
been  near  cattle  would  greatly  assist  in  making  a  decision  in  doubtful 
cases.  The  disease  in  dogs  is  pretty  well  recognized  by  most  people, 
but.  in  case  a  suspected  dog  is  killed  it  is  desirable  to  open  the  animal 
and  examine  the  contents  of  the  stomach.  While  food  is  absent  a 


398  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

variety  of  odd  things  may  be  present  which  the  abnormally  changed 
appetite  of  the  rabid  dog  has  induced  him  to  swallow.  Among  such 
things  may  be  straws,  sticks,  glass,  rags,  earth,  pieces  of  leather  and 
whatever  the  animal  may  have  encountered  small  enough  tobe  swallowed. 
This  miscellaneous  collection  in  the  stomach  of  dogs  is  regarded  by  au- 
thorities as  a  very  valuable  sign,  and  may  be  made  use  of  by  laj'mau  in 
case  of  doubt. 

Treatment  is  out  of  the  question  after  the  symptoms  have  once  ap- 
peared. When,  however,  soon  after  a  bite  has  been  inflicted  by  a 
rabid  dog,  the  wound  can  be  found  it  may  be  desirable  to  cauterize  it 
with  the  hot  iron  or  with  strong  acids,  alkalies,  or  even  to  cut  out  the 
entire  wound  if  such  procedure  is  possible.  Prevention  which  seeks  to 
control  effectively  the  disease  by  restricting  it  among  dogs  is  most 
likely  to  prove  successful.  The  measures  which  are  adapted  to  this  end 
can  not  be  discussed  in  this  place. 

The  method  of  preventive  inoculation  which  Pasteur  has  originated 
and  which  seems  to  be  so  successful  in  the  human  subject  is  not  appli- 
cable to  animals  for  various  reasons. 

TUBERCULOSIS.* 

(Plates  xxix,  Fig.  6;  xxxiv  to  xxxvm,  inclusive.) 

Tuberculosis  is  an  infectious  disease  characterized  by  the  formation 
in  various  organs  of  the  body  of  minute  nodules  or  tubercles  which  con- 
tain the  bacillus  tuberculosis,  the  cause  of  the  disease. 

The  disease,  in  its  various  manifestations,  has  been  known  for  many 
centuries,  and  legislative  enactments  having  reference  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  affected  animals  and  forbidding  the  use  of  the  flesh  date  far  back 
into  the  Middle  Ages.  The  opinions  entertained  regarding  the  nature 
and  the  cause  of  the  malady  varied  much  in  different  periods,  and  very 
markedly  influenced  the  laws  and  regulations  in  vogue.  Thus,  in  the 
sixteenth  century,  the  disease  was  considered  identical  with  syphilis  in 
lhan.  In  consequence  of  this  belief  very  stringent  laws  were  enacted, 
which  made  the  destruction  of  tuberculous  cattle  compulsory.  In  the 
eighteenth  century  this  erroneous  conception  of  the  nature  of  the  dis- 
ease was  abandoned  and  all  restrictions  against  the  use  of  meat  were 
removed.  Since  that  time,  however,  the  tide  of  opinion  has  again 
turned  against  this  disease.  The  particular  opinion  held  at  any  time 
concerning  its  nature  usually  furnished  for  it  a  name.  There  are  in 
most  languages,  therefore,  a  large  number  of  peculiar  terms  which  have 
accumulated,  but  which  do  not  concern  us  here. 

Occurrence. — The  statistics  concerning  tuberculosis  show  that  it  is  a 
disease  prevalent  in  all  civilized  countries.  In  some  countries,  such  as 
the  northern  part  of  Norway  and  Sweden,  on  the  steppes  of  eastern 

*  For  a  brief  account  of  the  disease  iu  other  auiuials,  see  the  Report  of  the  Secretary 
of  Agriculture  for  1889,  p.  63. 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  399 

Europe  ami  Russia,  in  Sicily  and  Iceland,  and  in  Algiers  it  is  said  to 
be  quite  rare.  In  most  countries  an  effort  is  now  being  made  to  deter- 
mine more  accurately  the  prevalence  of  this  disease.  Some  very  valu- 
able tables  have  been  published  by  the  German  Government  for  the 
year  extending  from  October,  1888,  to  October,  1889.  We  learn  from 
this  that  of  1,270,004  animals  killed  for  beef  in  public  abattoirs  26,332, 
or  about  2  per  cent,  were  tuberculous. 

In  France,  according  to  figures  given  by  Arloing,  there  are,  on  the 
average,  5  animals  tuberculous  in  every  1,000,  or  about  one-half  per  cent. 
In  the  various  cities  of  France  the  figures  obtained  by  inspectors  at  the 
abattoirs  vary  from  1.43  to  14.5  per  1,000,  the  observation  extending 
over  a  period  of  one  to  five  years.  In  Belgium,  according  to  Van  Hert- 
sen,  the  rate  is  4  per  cent.  In  Holland  it  varies  from  4  to  19.6  per 
1,000.  In  England,  according  to  Cope,  it  varies  from  1  to  26  per  cent, 
according  to  the  locality.  At  Copenhagen,  according  to  Bang,  during 
1888,  the  rate  was  6  per  cent;  for  cows  alone  it  rose  to  16 per  cent.  In 
the  Argentine  Republic,  according  to  Even,  tuberculosis  seems  to  attack 
the  recently  imported  improved  stock  (10  to  15  per  cent),  while  it  is 
comparatively  rare  among  natives  (one-half  per  cent). 

In  our  own  country  cattle  (mostly  milch  cows)  slaughtered  at  Balti- 
more under  the  auspices  of  this  Bureau  several  years  ago  were  found 
tuberculous  to  the  extent  of  24  to  3 £  per  cent.  Among  2,273,547  head 
of  cattle,  chiefly  steers,  slaughtered  for  beef  in  the  various  meat  in- 
spection districts  of  the  United  States  from  May  15,  1891,  to  March  1, 
1892,  only  492  or  .02  per  cent  were  found  tuberculous.  For  the  year 
ending  December  31, 1889,  there  were  found  in  the  same  districts  among 
54,158  cows  669  cases  of  tuberculosis,  or  1.23  per  cent. 

It  is  not  far  from  the  truth  to  assume  from  these  statistics  that  one 
of  every  fifty  head  of  cattle  in  the  more  densely  populated  areas  of 
Europe  and  America  is  tuberculous.  When  we  consider  the  age  and 
sex  of  the  affected  animals  some  striking  differences  are  observed. 
According  to  the  German  report  the  statistics  of  a  large  number  of 
abattoirs  showed  that  0.9  per  cent  of  the  cows,  3.6  per  cent  of  the  oxen, 
2.6  per  cent  of  the  bulls,  and  not  quite  1  per  cent  of  the  calves  and 
yearlings  were  tuberculous.  It  has  also  been  observed  that  tuberculosis 
increases  in  frequency  with  the  age  of  the  animals.  If  we  take  the 
number  of  cases  of  animals  of  a  year  and  under  affected  with  tubercu- 
losis as  the  unit  of  comparison,  animals  from  one  to  three  years  old 
furnish  ten  times,  those  three  to  six  years  old  thirty  times,  and  those 
over  six  years  forty  times  the  number  of  cases. 

The  cause  of  this  disease  may  be  considered  as  twofold,  the  tubercle 
bacillus  first  and  foremost,  without  which  this  disease  could  never 
develop,  and  en-tain  predisposing  causes  which  prepare  the  way  for  it. 
First,  as  to  the  way  sin  which  tubercle  bacilli  find  their  way  into  the  body. 
These  in  the  order  of  their  importance  may  be  considered  under  four 
heads:  (1)  By  inhalation  into  the  lungs;  (2)  into  the  digestive  tract  in 


400  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

the  milk  of  tuberculous  cows ;  (3)  during  coition  when  the  sexual  organs 
are  tuberculous ;  (4)  from  the  tuberculous  mother  to  the  fetus  in  the 
uterus.  Inhalation  is  by  far  the  most  common  mode  of  infection,  since 
statistics  show  a  large  percentage  of  primary  lung  disease  in  cattle. 
Thus  in  the  German  report  quoted  the  lungs  were  found  14.J  times  more 
frequently  diseased  than  the  digestive  organs. 

The  bacilli  can  only  get  into  the  lungs  when  inhaled.  They  must, 
therefore,  be  thoroughly  dried  and  pulverized  before  currents  of  air  can 
carry  them.  It  is  well  known  that  the  bacilli  withstand  drying  for 
months  before  they  lose  their  power  of  producing  disease.  They  leave 
the  body  of  diseased  animals  in  several  ways.  There  may  be  a  little 
discharge  occasionally  coughed  up  from  the  diseased  lungs,  or  milk  may 
be  spilt,  or  there  may  be  a  discharge  from  the  vagina  when  the  genital 
organs  are  tuberculous.  The  bacilli  from  these  sources  may  become 
dried  and  pulverized,  and  carried  in  the  air  of  the  stable  and  into  the 
lungs  of  still  healthy  cattle  where  the  disease  then  develops. 

The  disease  of  the  stomach,  intestines,  and  meseuteric  glands  is  very 
probably  the  result  of  food  infection.  Tubercle  bacilli  may  have  been 
scattered  upon  the  feed  by  diseased  animals.  But  the  most  common 
source  of  such  infection  is  the  milk  of  tuberculous  cows.  Calves  may 
become  infected  in  this  way.  The  disease  may  remain  latent  until  the 
animal  becomes  older.  The  not  infrequent  occurrence  of  tuberculosis 
of  the  uterus  and  ovaries  makes  it  probable  that  the  disease  may  be 
transmitted  by  a  diseased  bull,  or  carried  by  a  healthy  bull  from  a  dis- 
eased cow  to  a  number  of  healthy  cows. 

The  source  of  infection  is  always  some  previous  case  of  the  disease,  for 
the  latter  can  never  arise  spontaneously.  Hence,  in  those  stables  in 
which  there  is  frequent  change  of  cattle,  the  introduction  of  tuberculo- 
sis by  cattle  coming  from  other  infected  stables  is  the  most  frequent 
source  of  infection.  Since  the  bacilli,  when  dried,  can  be  carried  by  the 
air  it  is  not  necessary  that  healthy  animals  should  come  in  direct  con- 
tact with  cases  of  disease  to  become  infected. 

We  Avill  now  briefly  consider  the  various  conditions  which  favor  the 
bacilli  in  their  attack.  Unsanitary  conditions,  such  as  overcrowding 
in  poorly- ventilated  and  poorly-lighted  stables,  and  feeding  of  food 
which  is  not  nutritious,  are  not  insignificant  in  this  respect.  Condi- 
tions which  injure  the  lungs  are  favorable  to  the  development  of  tuber- 
culosis. Among  these  are  the  inhalation  of  dust  and  smoke,  and  all 
conditions  which  may  induce  chronic  inflammation  of  the  bronchial 
tubes,  with  abundant  secretion  and  subsequent  pneumonia  (broncho- 
pneumonia).  Among  the  other  causes  which  are  said  to  favor  tuber- 
culosis is  the  overproduction  of  milk,  too  many  births,  the  improvement 
of  stock  by  continual  inbreeding,  and  the  consequent  inheritance  of 
certain  constitutional  characters  of  a  debilitating  nature.  Animals 
living  in  the  lowlands  are  more  subject  to  this  disease  than  the  more 
robust  races  living  in  elevated  mountain  regions.  Similarly,  animals 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF   CATTLE.  401 

on  the  open  pasture  are  less  susceptible  than  stabled  animals.  This 
may.  however,  be  due  to  concentration  of  virus  in  the  stables.  The  dis- 
ease is  likewise  far  more  common  in  cows  than  in  oxen,  owing  to  the 
strain  to  which  bringing  forth  young  and  milking  subject  the  females. 
Animals  subjected  to  special  feeding,  such  as  cows  in  distilleries,  brew- 
eries, and  other  manufactories  having  waste  available  as  food,  are  the 
most  susceptible  to  the  disease.  In  general  the  greatest  number  of 
cases  occur  in  the  immediate  environment  of  cities  where  there  are  not 
only  abundant  opportunities  for  infection,  owing  to  the  frequent  intro- 
duction of  new  animals  into  herds,  but  where  the  sanitary  conditions 
may  be  regarded  as  the  poorest. 

Nature  of  the  disease. — The  bacillus  of  tuberculosis  was  discovered  by 
Robert  Koch  in  1882.  It  (see  Plate  xxix  Fig.  6)  is  a  slender  rod-like 
body  from  one- third  to  two-thirds  the  diameter  of  a  red-blood  corpuscle 
in  length.  When  the  bacillus  has  become  lodged  in  any  organ  or  tis- 
sue it  begins  to  multiply,  and  thereby  causes  an  irritation  in  the  tissue 
around  it  which  leads  to  the  formation  of  the  so-called  tubercle,  whence 
the  general  name  of  .the  disease — tuberculosis.  The  tubercle,  when  it 
has  reached  its  full  growth  is  a  little  nodule  about  the  size  of  a  millet 
seed.  It  is  composed  of  several  kinds  of  tissue  cells.  Soon  a  change 
takes  place  within  the  tubercle.  Disintegration  begins,  and  a  soft, 
cheesy  substance  is  formed  in  the  center  which  may  contain  particles 
of  lime  salts.  When  these  tubercles  continue  to  form  in  large  numbers 
they  run  together,  forming  masses  of  various  size.  The  disintegration 
whirh  attacks  them  leads  to  the  formation  of  large  cheesy  masses  of  a 
yellowish  color,  containing  more  or  less  of  lime  salts  in  the  form  of 
gritty  particles.  These  large,  tuberculous  masses  are  surrounded  by 
or  imbedded  in  layers  of  fibrous  tissue  which  in  some  cases  becomes 
very  dense  and  thick. 

The  disease  is  thus  a  development  of  these  tubercles  in  one  or  more 
organs  of  the  body.  The  distribution  and  number  of  these  determine 
the  course  of  the  disease. 

In  a  large  number  of  cases  the  changes  are  limited  to  the  lungs  ai:d 
the  serous  membranes  *  of  the  thorax  and  abdomen.  Pathologists  hav^ 
been  in  the  habit  of  calling  the  lung  disease  tuberculosis  and  the  <lis 
ease  of  the  serous  membranes  "pearly  disease."  Statistics  have  shown 
that  in  about  one-half  the  cases  both  lungs  and  serous  membranes 
;m>  ili-cased,  in  one-third  only  the  lungs,  and  in  oiie-fifth  only  the 
serous  membranes.  At  the  same  time  the  lymphatic  glands  near  tin- 
<li-«  MS(  (1  organs  are  usually  involved.  Other  organs,  such  as  the  liver. 
not  infrequently  contain  tubercles.  Though  the  disease  may  remain 
restricted  to  a  single  organ,  it  now  and  then  is  found  generalized,  affect- 
ing all  organs  of  the  body. 

"These  comprise  the  smooth,  very  delicate,  glistening  lining  of  the  large  body 
cavities.     In  the  thorax  thepcrous  membrane  (plcnrn)  covers  the  ribs  and  diaphragm 
as  well  a*  the  whole  lung  surface.     In  tho  abdomen  a  similar  membrane  (perito- 
neum) lines  tin-  interior  of  the  cavity  and  cover*  the  bowels,  liver,  spleen,  etc. 
24697 L'O 


402  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

In  the  lungs  (Plate  XXXIY)  the  changes  observed  vary  according  to  the 
ago  and  intensity  of  the  disease  process.  They  usually  begin  with  the 
appearance  of  very  minute  tubercles.  These  may  appear  in  large  num- 
bers on  the  surface  of  the  lungs  or  within  the  lung  tissue.  Later  the 
contents  become  cheesy  and  partly  calcined.  When  these  tubercles 
are  sufficiently  numerous  to  become  confluent  large  masses  may  be 
formed,  which  undergo  the  same  retrogressive  changes  of  caseation 
and  calcification.  In  addition  to  the  formation  of  tubercles  in  the  luug 
tissue  certain  other  changes  take  place.  There  is  usually  present-  bron- 
chitis with  abundant  catarrhal  secretion.  This  plugs  up  the  smaller 
air-tubes,  and  the  lung  tissue  supplied  by  these  tubes  with  air  collapses. 
Subsequently  it  becomes  filled  with  yellowish,  cheesy  matter,  which 
greatly  distends  the  small  air-tubes  and  air  vesicles  (broncho-pneu- 
nionia).  The  connective  tissue  between  the  lung  lobules,  around  the 
tubercles  and  around  the  air  tubes,  becomes  thickened  and  indurated. 
In  the  larynx  and  the  bronchi  tubercles  may  vegetate  upon  the  mucous 
membrane,  and  ulcers  may  result  from  their  breaking  down.  The  in- 
flammatory irritation  which  the  growth  of  the  tubercles  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  lungs  arouses  gives  rise  to  adhesion  of  the  lungs  to  the 
ribs  and  diaphragm.  This  adhesion  is  sometimes  so  firm  and  extensive 
that  the  lungs  appear  grown  to  the  chest  wall. 

When,  therefore,  the  lungs  in  advanced  stages  of  the  disease  are  cut 
open  we  observe  large  yellowish  masses,  from  one-quarter  to  three- 
quarters  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  of  a  cheesy  texture,  in  which  calcified, 
gritty  particles  are  embedded  and  which  are  surrounded  by  very  firm 
connective  tissue.  The  neighboring  lung  tissue,  when  collapsed  and 
involved  in  broncho-pneumonia,  has  the  color  and  consistency  of  pale 
red  flesh.  The  air-tubes,  large  and  small,  stand  out  prominently  011 
the  cut  surface.  They  are  distended  with  a  pasty,  yellowish,  cheesy 
mass,  surrounded  and  enveloped  in  thick  mucus,  and  their  walls  greatly 
thickened.  The  larger  bronchi  may  be  sacculated,  owing  to  the  dis- 
tension produced  by  the  cheesy  contents. 

The  disease  usually  attacks  the  bronchial  glands,  which  are  situated 
on  the  trachea  and  bronchial  tubes  at  the  bifurcation.  The  changes  in 
the  glands  are  the  same  as  those  going  on  in  the  lung  tissue,  and  they 
frequently  reach  an  enormous  size. 

The  tubercle  formation  on  the  serous  membranes  covering  the  lungs 
and  chest  wall,  which  may  go  on  at  the  same  time  with  the  lung  disease 
or  independent  of  it,  has  been  called  "pearly  disease,''  on  account  of 
the  peculiar  appearance  of  the  tubercles.  These  begin  as  very  minute 
grayish  nodules,  which  give  the  originally  smooth,  lustrous  membrane 
a  roughened  appearance.  These  minute  tubercles  enlarge,  become  con- 
fluent, and  project  above  the  surface  -of  the  membrane  as  wart-like 
masses,  attaining  the  size  of  peas.  In  this  stage  their  attachment  to 
the  membrane  is  by  means  of  delicate  fibers.  The  attachment  is  loose, 
so  that  the  tubercle  hangs  by  a  short  pedicle  or  neck  and  may  be 
moved  slightly  to  and  fro.  Large  masses  are  frequently  formed  by  a 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  403 

coalescence  of  many  tubercles  and  the  secondary  formation  of  the  same. 
These  may  be  found  on  the  lungs,  the  ribs,  and  the  diaphragm.  These 
tubercles  likewise  undergo  degenerative  changes.  The  center  partly 
soft  ens,  partly  calcines  into  a  grayish  mortar-like  mass,  and  when  cut  into 
they  are  found  to  be  gritty.  Associated  with  the  formation  of  tubercles 
on  the  pleura,  those  glands  situated  back  of  the  lungs  (posterior  medias- 
tinal)  become  greatly  enlarged  and  the  center  cheesy.  (Plate  xxxvi.) 
They  may  compress  the  esophagus  and  interfere  with  swallowing. 
The  size  attained  by  these  tumors  and  new  growths  is  well  illustrated 
by  the  fact  that,  taken  together,  they  not  infrequently  weigh  from  GO  to 
80  pounds.  The  bronchial  glands,  which  in  the  healthy  state  are  not 
a<  large  as  horse-chestnuts,  have  been  found  to  attain  a  weight  of  over 
10  pounds. 

In  the  abdominal  cavity  tubercles  may  be  found,  both  in  the  organs 
and  on  the  serous  membranes  covering  them.  They  are  situated  pref- 
erably on  the  oinentum  or  caul  (see  Plates  xxxvn,  XXXYIII,  Fig.  2),  the 
diaphragm,  and  the  walls  of  the  abdomen.  In  the  liver  large  and  small 
tubercular  masses  are  occasionally  encountered.  (See  Plate  xxxv.) 
The  mesenteric  glands  (see  Plate  xxxvni,  Fig.  1)  are  occasionally  en- 
larged and  tuberculous;  likewise  the  glands  near  the  liver.  Tubercles 
may  also  develop  in  the  spleen,  the  kidneys,  the  uterus  and  ovaries,  and 
the  testicles. 

Tubercular  a  flection  of  the  intestines  seems  to  be  quite  rare,  although 
ulc.-rs  ut'  the  large  intestines  have  been  observed.  Nodules  may  also 
form  under  the  serous  covering  of  the  intestines. 

The  brain  and  spinal  cord  are  occasionally  found  tuberculous.  Of 
40  cases,  Scinmer  found  tuberculosis  of  the  brain  in  4.  It  is  not 
improbable  that,  owing  to  the  infrequency  of  exposing  the  brain  and 
spinal  cord,  tuberculosis  may  have  escaped  the  attention  of  patholo- 
gist*, and  it  may  be  that  it  is  not  so  uncommon  as  is  generally  supposed. 
The  tubercles  occur  on  the  membranes  of  the  brain  as  well  as  in  the 
subst  ance  of  the  brain  itself.  They  project  into  the  ventricles  as  masses 
varying  in  sixe  from  a  pin's  head  to  a  hen's  egg.  They  finally  lead  to 
various  inflammatory  changes.  Johne  has  observed  numerous  small 
tubercles  on  the  membranes  of  the  spinal  cord. 

Y<TV  rarely  tuberculous  lesions  have  been  observed  in  the  bones  and 

muselrs  of  the  body.    Not  so  rare,  however,  is  the  aftectioii  of  the 

lymphatic  glands  imbedded  in  the  muscular  tissue  and  those  which  can 

be  idt  l>eneath  the  skin.     These  are  situated  at  the  joints,  under  the 

and  along  the  neck. 

Tubercular  disease  of  the  udder  in  cows  has  received  considerable 
attention  of  late  from  sanitarians,  owing  to  the  infection  of  the  milk 
wit  h  the  virus  of  tuberculosis.  According  to  those  who  have  given  this 
eet  special  attention  the  udder  becomes  swollen  uniformly  and 
quite  linn.  This  swelling,  which  is  painless,  frequently  attacks  but  one 
qnarN'r.  more  rarely  two.  these  being  usually  the  hind  quarters.  The 
larger  milk  ducts  contain  yellowish  cheesy  particles,  in  which  are  many 


404  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

tubercle  bacilli.  Later  on,  larger  nodules  can  be  felt  within  the  udder, 
which  undergo  the  various  changes  to  which  tubercles  are  subject.  The 
udder  may  grow  very  hard  to  the  touch  and  become  very  large,  weigh- 
ing in  some  cases  up  to  40  pounds.  The  milk,  at  first  normal,  becomes 
thin  and  watery  after  a  month  or  so,  and  is  mixed  with  flakes  and  tuber- 
cle bacilli. 

As  regards  the  frequency  of  the  tubercular  processes  in  the  different 
organs,  the  following  carefully  compiled  statistics  of  the  disease  in 
Bavaria  and  Baden  may  serve  as  a  guide: 

Bavaria :  Ter  cent. 

Tuberculosis  of  lungs  and  serous  membranes 41 

Tuberculosis  of  lungs  alone 33 

Tuberculosis  of  serous  membranes  alone  (pearly  disease) 17 

Tuberculosis  of  other  organs 8 

Baden : 

Tuberculosis  of  lungs  alone 21 

Tuberculosis  of  serous  membranes  alone .- 28 

Both  combined 39 

Generalized  tuberculosis 9 

Tuberculosis  of  the  sexual  organs  alone 3 

Symptoms. — The  beginning  of  the  disease  usually  passes  unnoticed, 
inasmuch  as  it  is  very  slow  and  insidious  and  rarely  accompanied  by 
fever.  When  the  lungs  are  involved  a  dull,  short  cough  is  noticed, 
which  may  later  on  become  prolonged,  convulsive,  and  very  trouble- 
some to  the  animal.  The  cough  is  more  frequent  in  the  morning  after 
movement  and  drinking.  The  breathing  varies.  Only  when  much  of 
the  lung  tissue  is  diseased,  it  is  labored  and  accompanied  by  active 
movements  of  the  chest  and  nostrils.  Discharge  from  the  nose  is  rare 
or  absent.  At  times,  however,  when  the  tubercles  have  broken  down 
and  cavities  containing  cheesy  masses  have  formed  in  the  lung  tissue, 
or  when  the  air- tubes  have  become  filled  with  cheesy  and  mucous  masses, 
coughing  will  dislodge  these  and  cause  their  discharge.  In  advanced 
stages  the  breath  may  have  a  disagreeable  odor.  Pressure  on  the  chest 
wall  may  give  rise  to  pain. 

The  general  effect  on  the  body  is  at  first  slight.  In  fact,  animals  may 
remain  in  good  flesh  for  a  considerable  time.  Invariably,  as  the  dis- 
ease progresses,  loss  of  flesh  and  appetite  and  paleness  of  the  mucous 
membranes  become  manifest.  These  are  accompanied  by  a  gradual 
diminution  of  the  milk  secretion.  The  debilitated  condition  of  the 
animal  is  also  manifested  by  a  staring  coat  and  a  tough,  dry,  harsh 
skin  (hide-bound).  Digestive  disturbances  are  indicated  by  tympa- 
nitis, or  distension  of  the  rumen  by  gas,  colic,  and  diarrhea,  alternating 
with  constipation.  The  animal  generally  dies  from  exhaustion  after  a 
period  of  sickness  which  may  last  months  and  years. 

Tuberculosis  in  the  abdominal  organs  is  often  signalized  by  abortion 
and  by  abnormal  sexual  manifestations.  When  the  brain  is  involved 
the  disease  may  cause  convulsions,  unconsciousness,  paralysis,  as  well 
as  peculiar  movements  in  a  circle,  oblique  position  of  the  head,  etc. 


KCTIOUS    DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  405 

Lydtin  quotes  the  following  description  of  the  disease  as  taken  from  a 

.Swiss  sanitary  order: 

A  dry,  short,  interrupted,  hoarse  cough,  -which  the  sick  animals  manifest  espe- 
cially in  the  morning  at  feeding  time,  still  more  after  somewhat  violent  exertion.  At 
tir>r  these  animals  may  be  full-blooded  and  lay  on  a  considerable  amount  of  fat 
when  well  fed.  As  the  disease  progresses  they  grow  thin  and  show  more  and  more 
those  appearances  which  indicate  diseased  nutrition,  such  as  a  staring,  lusterlesa, 
disheveled  coat;  dirty,  tense  skin,  which  appears  very  pale  in  those  regions  free 
from  hair.  The  temperature  of  the  skin  is  below  normal.  The  loss  of  fat  causes 
sinking  of  the  eyes  in  their  sockets.  They  appear  swimming  in  water,  and  their 
expression  is  weak.  The-  cough  is  more  frequent,  but  never  or  very  rarely  accom- 
panied with  discharge.  The  body  continues  to  emaciate  even  with  plenty  of  food 
and  a  good  appetite,  so  that  the  quantity  of  milk  is  small.  At  times,  ir  the  early 
stages  of  the  disease,  still  more  in  the  later  stages,  the  diseased  animals  manifest 
considerable  tenderness  when  pressure  is  applied  to  the  front  or  the  sides  of  the 
chest,  by  coughing,  moaning,  etc.  Often  all  symptoms  are  wanting  in  spite  of  the 
existence  of  the  disease. 

Lydtin  also  quotes  at  length  a  description  of  the  abnormal  sexual 
desire  occasionally  observed  among  cows  when  affected  with  this  dis- 
ease. ^  ' 

Diagnosis. — A  disease  so  varied  in  its  attack  upon  the  different 
organs  of  the  body  and  in  the  extent  of  the  disease  process  must  neces- 
sarily lead  to  mistakes  of  diagnosis.  It  has  been  confounded  with  the 
later  stages  of  pleuro-pneumonia,  with  parasitic  diseases  of  the  brain, 
the  lungs,  the  intestines,  and  with  actinomycosis.  In  the  early  stages 
of  the  disease  diagnosis  is  very  difficult.  The  various  procedures 
which  have  been  suggested  from  time  to  time  are  all  based  on  the 
detection  of  the  tubercle  bacilli,  .and  therefore  can  only  be  made  use  of 
by  trained  veterinarians.  At  present  a  method  is  under  trial  which 
may  bo  destined  to  solve  the  difficulty.  It  consists  in  injecting  beneath 
the  skin  a  certain  quantity  of  a  liquid  which  represents  an  extract  of 
tubercle  bacilli.  In  cattle  which  are  tuberculous,  even  to  a  slight 
degree,  an  elevation  of  temperature  or  a  temporary  fever  will  follow 
'the  injection.  In  those  which  are  healthy  no  such  reaction  takes  place. 
Whether  the  method  will  prove  to  be  all  that  it  promises  can  not  be 
definitely  stated  at  this  time.  If  it  should  it  will  be  a  great  assistance 
to  the  veterinarian  in  the  detection  of  this  disease. 

Treatment  of  the  disease  is  not  seriously  considered  by  any  authori- 
ties at  the  present  time. 

The  measures  to  be  adopted  to  prevent  the  spreading  of  the  disease 
must  take  into  consideration  not  only  the  tubercle  bacillus,  but  like- 
wise  all  those  circumstances  which  make  cattle  more  susceptible  to  the 
<ii-ease,  which  have  already  been  dwelt  upon.  It  would  be  useless 
to  repeat  here  all  that  has  been  said  above  on  the  transmission  of  tuber- 
elr  bacilli  from  one  animal  to  another,  and  on  the  dangers  of  certain 
debilitating  influences.  A  careful  study  of  these  will  show  how  tuber- 
» -ulosis  may,  at  least  in  some  cases,  be  prevented.  The  difficulty  of 
determining  when  cattle  first  become  tuberculous  makes  it  imi>os8ible 
to  prevent  the  legibility  of  infection.  Great  care  should  therefore  be 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

bestowed  upon  the  breeding,  the  surroundings,  and  the  food  of  the  ani- 
mal, so  that  the  latter  may  be  put  into  a  condition  to  resist  infection 
even  when  exposed  to  it.  If  the  method  of  diagnosis  referred  to  above 
proves  a  success,  this  should  be  used  whenever  strange  cattle  are  intro- 
duced into  a  herd.  A  rigid  exclusion  of  tuberculous  animals,  if  this 
were  possible,  would  be  all  that  is  necessary  to  prevent  the  appearance 
of  the  disease,  provided  cattle  are  not  infected  by  consumptive  per- 
sons and  animals,  which  we  can  not  consider  as  impossible  at  the  pres- 
ent time. 

Tuberculosis  in  cattle  must  also  be  considered  as  bearing  upon  tuber- 
culosis of  other  domesticated  animals,  particularly  swine.  In  Europe 
this  disease  is  not  so  uncommon  among  swine,  while  in  our  own  coun- 
try it  seems  to  be  practically  unknown.  The  reason  for  its  existence  in 
Europe  may  be  looked  for  in  the  feeding  of  pigs  with  whey  in  dairies, 
with  the  offal  of  the  abattoirs  and  the  household  refuse  generally.  If 
tuberculosis  is  common  among  cattle  it  is  likely  to  be  transmitted  to 
swine  kept  in  this  way.  There  is,  however,  still  some  confusion  of  tuber- 
culosis with  other  swine  diseases,  and  it  may  be  that  the  statistics  are 
much  too  high. 

The  carcasses  of  animals  which  have  died  of  tuberculosis  should  be 
bulled  deeply,  so  that  they  can  not  be  eaten  by  other  animals.  This  is 
likewise  true  of  all  organs  or  tissues  of  slaughtered  animals  containing 
tubercles.  These  should  never  be  fed  to  other  animals,  such  as  swine, 
dogs,  and  cats,  and  should  either, be  destroyed  by  fire  or  else  deeply 
buried. 

Bovine  tuberculosis  and  the  public  health. — The  identity  between  hu- 
man and  animal  tuberculosis,  combined  with  the  extraordinary  mor- 
tality of  human  beings  from  this  disease,  often  amounting  to  from  10  to  14 
per  cent,  has  raised  the  question  in  all  civilized  countries  as  to  how  far 
animal,  and  especially  bovine,  tuberculosis  was  to  blame  for  this  high 
mortality.  The  medical  and  veterinary  professions  have  approached 
this  problem  with  equal  zeal,  and  much  has  come  to  light  within  recent 
years  which  enables  us  to  come  to  some  conclusion.  If  this  disease  is 
transmitted  from  animals  to  man,  how  does  the  transmission  take  place  ? 
As  comparatively  few  people  come  in  direct  contact  with  tuberculous 
cattle,  it  must  be,  if  at  all,  either  through  the  meat  or  the  milk,  or 
through  both,  that  the  virus  enters  the  human  body.  The  question 
has  thus  narrowed  itself  down  to  the  food  products  furnished  by  cattle. 

It  has  become  a  very  urgent  question,  especially  in  the  poorer  coun- 
tries of  Europe,  whether  all  flesh  from  tuberculous  animals  is  unfit  for 
human  food.  It  is  argued  there  that  if  it  can  be  shown  that  in  the 
majority  of  cases  of  tuberculosis  the  bones  and  the  muscular  system  are 
free  from  infection,  there  is  no  reason  why  the  meat  should  not  be  put 
on  sale  under  certain  restrictions.  The  question  may  be  resolved  into 
two  divisions :  (1)  How  frequently  does  the  disease  invade  those  parts 
of  the  body  which  are  used  as  food '?  (2)  "When  the  disease  process  is 
manifestly  restricted  to  the  internal  organs  do  tubercle  bacilli  circulate 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OF   CATTLE.  407 

in  the  blood  and  lymph,  and  can   they  be  detected  in  the  muscular 

(1)  Disease  of  the  bones  is  not  unknown,  although  very  rare.    Accord- 
ing to  Walley  it  appears  chiefly  in  the  spongy  bones  of  the  head  and 
backbone  and  in  the  long  bones  of  the  limbs.    Occasionally  the  ends  of 
the  bones,  where  they  are  covered  by  the  synovial  membrane  of  the 
joints,  are  dotted  with  tubercles.    The  muscular  system  itself  is  very 
rarely  the  seat  of  tubercular  deposits,  although  the  lymphatic  glands 
lying  near  and  among  the  muscles  may  be  not  infrequently  diseased. 

(2)  Whether  tubercle  bacilli  are  found  in  muscle  juice  independent 
of  any  tubercular  deposits  is  a  question  which  must  be  approached 
experimentally.    There  is  on  record  a  great  variety  of  opinions  on  this 
matter,  some  authorities  considering  all  flesh  from  tuberculous  animals 
unfit  for  food,  while  others  hold  a  contrary  view.     Experiments  have 
shown  that  in  rare  cases  the  flesh  of  tuberculous  cattle  contains  a  small 
number  of  tubercle  bacilli.    In  Germany  the  flesh  of  animals  in  which 
the  disease  is  just  beginning,  or  in  which  it  is  restricted  to  one  or  more 
related  organs,  is  not  rejected.     When,   however,   the  disease   has 
aft'ected  the  muscles,  or  bones,  or  lymphatic   glands  situated  on  or 
between  them,  the  flesh  is  condemned  as  unfit  and  dangerous.    Animals 
are  also  rejected  in  which  it  is  evident,  from  the  general  distribution  of 
tubercles  throughout  the  various  organs,  that  the  bacilli  have  beeu 
distributed  by  the  blood  and  may  have  been  carried  into  the  muscular 
system  (generalized  tuberculosis). 

Concerning  the  infections  nature  of  milk  secreted  by  tuberculous 
.  authorities  have  universally  agreed  that  when  the  udder  itself  is 
in  the  slightest  degree  involved  the  milk  possesses  infectious  propcr- 
and  is  therefore  dangerous.  Tubercle  bacilli  have  been  found  in 
large  numbers, in  the  milk  and  the  udder  under  such  circtimsta: 
I'nlike  other  affections  of  the  udder,  tuberculosis  of  this  organ  does  not 
at  once  change  the  appearance  and  the  quality  of  the  milk  secreted. 
Bang  states  that  for  at  least  a  month  after  the  disease  has  appeared  the 
milk  is  normal  in  appearance  and  may  be  consumed  and  sold  without 
arousing  the  suspicion  of  the  owner.  There  is,  therefore,  considerable 
danger  involved  in  this  disease,  and  the  necessity  for  the  careful  \i\> 
tion  of  dairy  cows  seems  more  urgent  than  ever  before. 

Authorities  are,  however,  not  fully  agreed  as  to  whether  the  milk 
from  tuberculous  cows  in  which  the  udder  is  apparently  not  invaded 
liy  the  disease  should  be  considered  dangerous  or  not.  Some  are  in- 
clined to  believe  that  the  milk  secreted  by  healthy  udders  is  never 
infeetious  even  when  the  lungs  or  other  organs  are  affected;  that, 
in  oilier  words,  the  tubercle  bacilli  are  rarely,  if  ever,  separated  from 
the  lesions  which  they  produce,  and  that  the  udder  itself  must  be  dis- 
eased before  tubercle  bacilli  can  apj>ear  in  the  milk.  Experiment* 
made  tvith  the  milk  of  tuberculous  cows  in  which  there  were  no  indica- 
of  udder  disease  do  not  bear  out  this  theory,  since  tubercle  bacilli 
have  been  found  in  the  milk  of  such  cows.  Some  authorities,  among 


408  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

them  Nocard,  still  believe  that  the  udder  is  diseased  when  the  milk  is 
infected,  but  that  the  disease  escapes  observation.  However  this  may 
be,  the  fact  that  the  udder  may  be  diseased  and  the  disease  not  recog- 
nizable, simply  casts  suspicion  upon  all  milk  from  tuberculous  animals. 
The  question  as  it  now  stands  leaves  the  matter  unsettled.  We  know 
that  the  milk  of  tuberculous  cattle  may  or  may  not  contain  tubercle 
bacilli  when  the  udder  is  apparently  free  from  disease.  But  we  have 
no  rapid  method  of  determining  whether  in  any  given  case  the  milk 
contains  tubercle  bacilli  or  not.  Moreover,  the  bacilli  may  be  absent 
at  one  time  and  present  at  another  in  inilk  from  the  same  cow.  When 
we  consider,  therefore,  the  extent  of  tuberculosis  and  the  hidden  char- 
acter of  the  disease,  a  certain  amount  of  suspicion  rests  upon  all  milk. 
Fortunately  tubercle  bacilli  are  readily  destroyed  by  the  temperature 
of  boiling  water,  and  hence  both  meat  and  milk  are  made  entirely  safe, 
the  former  by  the  various  processes  of  cooking,  the  latter  by  boiling 
for  a  few  moments.  Until  better  means  of  diagnosis  are  at  hand  it  is 
incumbent  upon  all  communities  to  have  dairy  cows  examined  or 
inspected  "at  least  to  the  extent  of  finding  out  whether  the  udder  shows 
any  signs  of  disease.  If  this  is  detected  the  affected  animal  should  be 
at  once  killed,  or  else  all  opportunity  for  the  sale  of  such  milk  removed 
by  appropriate  measures.  The  dangers  from  infected  milk  might  by 
these  means  be  very  materially  lessened. 

TUBERCULOSIS. 

[Description  of  plates.] 

PLATE  XXXIV.  Tuberculosis  of  the  lungs.  The  upper  figures  represent  a  large 
cheesy  mass,  surrounded  lay  a  capsule  of  connective  tissue,  the  whole  embedded  in 
healthy  lung  tissue.  The  lower  figure  illustrates  in  section  a  mass  of  tubercles 
•which  have  undergone  cheesy  degeneration,  and  some  of  which  are  embedded  in  dense 
connective  tissue. 

PLATE  XXXV.  Tuberculosis  of  the  liver.  A  large  portion  of  the  lobe  represented 
in  the  plate  has  undergone  tuberculous  changes.  The  whitish,  very  fine,  newly 
formed  connective  tissue  contains  the  yellowish,  partly  cheesy,  partly  gritty  masses 
characteristic  of  advanced  tuberculous  degeneration.  This  large  mass  projected 
above  the  surface  of  the  liver.  In  the  plate  the  diseased  mass  is  shown  cut  through 
its  central  portion  with  the  cut  surface  presented. 

PLATE  XXXVI.  A  lymph  gland  from  the  region  of  the  thorax  behind  or  above 
the  oesophagus  or  gullet  (posterior  or  dorsal  mediastinum).  The  gland  is  shown  cut 
through  and  laid  open.  It  is  very  much  enlarged,  and  the  yellowish  cheesy  masses 
surrounded  by  dense  connective  tissue  are  well  shown  on  the  cut  surface. 

PLATE  XXXVII.  Represents  the  omentum  or  caul  of  a  tuberculous  cow.  The 
preparation  had  been  in  alcohol  for  some  time.  The  projecting  masses  are  the 
tubercles,  whence  the  name  "pearly  disease,"  for  that  form  of  the  malady  in  which 
these  tubercles  are  present.  They  are  mainly  restricted  to  the  lining  membrane  of 
the  thorax  and  abdomen. 

PLATE  XXXVIII.  Fig.  1.  Lymphatic  gland  of  the  mesentery  (the  fold  of  mem- 
brane to  which  the  small  intestines  are  attached)  cut  open.  The  gland  is  very 
much  enlarged.  The  yellowish  portions  represent  tissue  which  has  undergone 
tuberculous  changes. 

Fig.  2.  Omentum  or  caul  resting  upon  the  paunch.  The  reddish  nodules  with 
which  the  membrane  is  beset  are  tubercles,  the  product  of  the  disease.  Both  speci- 
mens are  from  the  same  animal,  a  Jersey  cow. 


PI.ATK  XXXIV 


I  M    I     I   (  )  S I  S     (  >| '     I  I  I  I         I    I  '  \ (  ,  s 


i 


- 


PLATE   XXXMl 


TriiKm  ri.osis  01   TIIK  O.MKMTM  (<  AIIJ. 


PLATK  XXXVIII 


Fig.l 


Fig.  2 


Kami's  ilri 


TriiKHCl'LOSIS    OK   LYMPHATIC    (il.AXI) 
AN'I)    OK    OMKNTI'.M   (('AIM.. I 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  409 

ACTINOMYCOSIS. 
(Plates  xxxix  to  XLI,  inclusive.) 

Actinomycosis,  also  known  as  lump-jaw,  big-jaw,  etc.,  is  a  local  dis- 
ease due  to  the  formation  of  peculiar  tumors  in  various  regions  of  the 
body,  more  particularly  the  head.  In  these  tumors  a  certain  fungus 
(actinoinyces)  is  always  present  and  regarded  as  the  cause  of  the  disease 
process. 

Although  these  tumors  on  cattle  had  been  the  object  of  study  for 
many  years,  it  was  not  until  1877  that  the  constant  presence  of  actino- 
myces  was  pointed  out  by  Bollinger,  of  Munich,  and  since  that  time 
considered  the  cause.  This  fungus  had  been  observed  in  these  tumors 
as  early  as  18G3  by  Rivolta,  and  by  others  subsequently,  without  having 
been  suspected  as  causing  them. 

-Since  Bolliuger's  publication  a  large  amount  of  work  has  been  done, 
many  observations  made,  and  many  hitherto  obscure  disease  proc- 
•*  brought  into  relation  with  this  fungus.  Furthermore,  a  similar 
disease  in  man  was  first  definitely  shown  to  be  associated  with  the  same 
fungus  in  1878  by  Israel,  and  in  the  following  year  Ponfick  pointed  out 
that  the  disease  described  by  Bollinger  in  animals  and  that  found  by  Israel 
in  man  were  due  to  the  same  cause;  that  is,  that  the  fungi  described  by 
these  observers  were  one  and  the  same. 

The  tumors  and  abscesses  wherever  they  may  be  situated  are  all  found 
to  l>e  the  same  in  origin  by  the  presence  of  the  actinomyces  fungus. 
When  they  are  incised,  a  very  close  scrutiny  with  the  naked  eye,  or  at 
most  a  hand  lens,  will  reveal  the  presence  of  minute  grains  which  vary 
from  a  pale  yellow  to  a  sulphur-yellow  color.  They  may  be  very  abun- 
dant or  so  lew  as  to  be  overlooked.  They  are  embedded  in  the  soft 
tissue  composing  the  tumor  or  in  the  pus  of  the  abscess.  With  a  needle 
they  are  easily  lifted  out  from  the  tissue  and  then  they  appear  as  roundish 
masses  about  one-half  millimeter  (^  inch)  in  diameter.  To  anyone 
familiar  with  the  use  of  a  microscope  the  recognition  of  these  grains  or 
particles  without  any  previous  preparation  is  a  comparatively  easy  task. 

When  examined  in  the  fresh  condition  under  a  microscope  magnify- 
ing up  to  250  diameters  the  general  structure  is  made  out  without 
much  difficulty.  These  grains  consist  of  collections  of  minute  roundish 
masses.  Their  outer  surface  is  made  up  of  club-shaped  bodies  all  radi- 
ating from  the  center  of  the  mass  (see  Fig.  2  of  Plate  xxxix).  somewhat 
like  a  rosette.  If  the  fungus  be  crushed  the  interior  is  found  made  up 
of  bundles  of  very  fine  filaments,  which  are  probably  continuous  into 
the  club-shai>ed  bodies.  The  addition  of  a  dilute  solution  of  caustic 
soda  or  potash  greatly  aids  the  examination,  since  it  removes  the  layer 
of  cells  adhering  to  the  fungus  which  obscures  the  structure.  Now 
and  then  these  grains  are  found  to  be  in  a  calcified  condition.  The 
<  \t«-rior  is  incnisted  in  lime  salts,  which  are  dissolved  by  adding  .some 
\vcak  dilute  acid  like  acetic  acid.  Only  by  this  procedure  can  the  fun- 
gus be  definitely  recognized  when  in  a  mummified  condition. 


410  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

These  are  the  bodies  whose  presence  causes  sufficient  irritation  in 
the  tissues  into  which  they  find  their  way  to  set  up  inflammatory 
growths.  These  growths  increase  as  the  fungus  continues  to  multiply 
until  they  reach  enormous  dimensions,  if  the  affected  animal  is  per- 
mitted to  live  long  enough.  The  true  nature  of  this  parasite  is  not  yet 
definitely  settled,  although  many  excellent  observers  have  occupied 
themselves  with  it.  According  to  earlier  observers  it  is  a  true  fungus. 
Later  ones  are  inclined  to  place  it  among  the  higher  bacteria.  Further 
investigations  will  be  necessary  to  clear  up  this  subject.  Whatever 
be  the  situation  of  the  disease  caused  by  actinomyces,  its  nature  is 
fundamentally  the  same  and  peculiar  to  the  fungus.  The  pathological 
details  which  make  this  statement  clear  can  not  be  entered  upon  in 
this  place,  nor  would  they  be  of  any  practical  value  to  the  farmer. 
We  will  simply  dwell  upon  a  few  obvious  characters. 

The  consistency  of  the  tumor  varies  in  different  situations  according 
to  the  quantity  of  fibrous  or  connective  tissue  present.  When  very 
little  of  this  is  present  the  tumor  is  of  a  very  soft  consistency.  As  the 
quantity  of  connective  tissue  is  increased  the  tumor  is  firmer  and  of  a 
more  honeycombed  appearance.  The  individual  actiuoinyces  colonies 
are  lodged  in  the  spaces  or  interstices  formed  by  the  mesh  work  of  the 
connective  tissue.  There  they  are  surrounded  by  a  mantle  of  cellular 
elements  which  fill  up  the  spaces.  By  scraping  the  cut  surface  of  such 
a  tumor  these  cell  masses  inclosing  the  fungi  come  away,  and  the  latter 
may  be  seen  as  pale  or  sulphur-yellow  specks,  as  described  above. 

Location  of  the  disease. — In  cattle  the  disease  process  may  be  located 
both  externally,  where  it  is  readily  detected,  and  in  internal  organs.  Its 
preferred  seat  is  on  the  bones  of  the  lower  and  upper  jaw,  in  the  pa- 
rotid salivary  gland  in  the  angle  of  the  jaw,  and  in  the  region  of  the 
throat.  It  may  also  appear  under  the  skin  in  different  parts  of  the 
body.  Internally  it  may  attack  the  tongue  and  appear  in  the  form  of  a 
tumor  in  the  mouth,  pharynx,  and  larynx.  It  may  cause  extensive 
disease  of  the  lungs,  more  rarely  of  the  digestive  tract. 

It  appears,  furthermore,  that  in  certain  districts  or  countries  the  dis- 
ease seems  to  attack  by  preference  certain  parts.  Thus  in  England 
actinoinycosis  of  the  tongue  is  most  prevalent.  In  Denmark  the  soft 
parts  of  the  head  are  most  prone  to  disease.  In  certain  parts  of  Ger- 
many actinomycotic  tumors  of  the  throat  (pharynx),  in  others  disease 
of  the  jawbones  is  most  frequently  encountered. 

A  description  of  actinoinycosis  of  the  jaw  (lump-jaw)  and  of  the 
tongue  has  already  been  given  by  Dr.  Murray,  and  hence  they  will 
be  dealt  with  here  only  very  briefly.  When  the  disease  attacks  the 
soft  parts  of  the  head  a  rather  firm  swelling  appears  in  which  are 
formed  one  or  more  smaller  projecting  tumors  varying  from  the  size 
of  a  nut  to  that  of  an  egg.  These  push  their  way  outward  and  finally 
break  through  the  skin  as  small,  reddish,  fungus-like  bodies  covered 
with  thin  sloughs.  Or  the  original  swelling,  in  place  of  enlarging  in 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  411 

the  manner  described,  may  become  transformed  into  an  abscess  which 
finally  bursts  to  discharge  creamy  pus.  The  abscess  cavity,  however, 
does  not  disappear,  but  is  soon  filled  with  fungus-like  growths  which 
force  their  way  outward  through  the  opening. 

When  the  tumors  are  situated  within  the  cavity  of  the  pharynx,  they 
have  broken  through  from  some  gland,  perhaps  beneath  the  mucous 
membrane,  where  the  disease  first  api>eared,  and  hang  or  project  into 
tin-  cavity  of  the  pharynx,  either  as  pendulous  masses  with  a  slender 
stem  or  as  tumors  with  a  broad  base.  Their  position  may  be  such  as  to 
interfere  with  swallowing  and  with  breathing.  In  either  case  serious 
symptoms  will  soon  appear. 

The  invasion  of  the  bones  of  the  jaws  by  actinomycosis  must  be  re- 
garded  as  one  of  the  most  serious  forms  of  the  disease.  (Plates  xxxix, 
Fig.  1,  XLI.)  It  may  start  in  the  marrow  of  the  bone  and  by  a  slow  ex- 
tension gradually  undermine  the  entire  thickness  of  the  bone  itself.  The 
growth  may  continue  outward,  and  after  working  its  way  through 
muscle  and  skin  finally  break  through  and  appear  externally  as  stink- 
ing fungoid  growths.  The  growth  may  at  the  same  time  work  its  way 
inward  and  appear  in  the  mouth.  The  disease  may  also  begin  in  the 
periosteum  or  covering  of  the  bone  and  destroy  the  bone  from  without 
into. 

Actinomycosis  of  the  lungs  is  occasionally  observed,  and  it  is  not 
improbable  that  it  has  been  mistaken  at  times*  for  tuberculosis.  The 
actinomyces  grains  are,  however,  easily  observed  if  the  diseased  tissue 
be  carefully  examined.  The  changes  in  the  lungs  as  they  appear  to 
the  naked  eye  vary  considerably  from  case  to  case.  Thus,  in  one  animal 
the  lungs  were  aft'ected  as  in  ordinary  broncho-pneumonia  as  to  the 
location,  extent,  and  appearance  of  the  disease  process.  The  affected 
lobes  had  a  dark-red  flesh  appearance,  with  yellowish  areas  sprinkled 
in  here  and  there.  (See  Plate  XL,  Figs.  1,  2.)  These  latter  areas  were 
the  seat  of  multiplication  of  the  actinomyces  fungus.  In  another  case, 
of  which  only  a  small  portion  of  the  lungs  was  sent  to  the  laboratory, 
the-e  were  completely  transformed  into  a  uniformly  grayish  mass,  very 
soft  and  pulpy  to  the  touch,  and  appearing  like  very  soft  and  moist 
dough.  (Plate  XL,  Fig.  3.)  The  actinomyces  grains  were  exceedingly 
abundant  in  this  tissue,  and  appeared  when  the  tissue  was  incised  as 
minute  sulphur-yellow  grains,  densely  sprinkled  through  the  tissue, 
which  readily  came  away  and  adhered  to  the  knife  blade.  In  still 
another  case,  a  portion  of  the  lung  tissue  was  converted  into  large 
soft  masses  from  1  to  3  inches  in  diameter,  each  partly  inclosed  in 
very  dense  connective  tissue.  These  soft  grayish-yellow  masses  like- 
wi.M«  resembled  moist  dough  in  their  consistency,  and  the  actinomyces 
grains,  though  neither  very  distinct  nor  at  all  abundant,  were  easily 
fished  out  and  identified  as  such.  A  portion  of  this  growth,  which  was 
as  large  as  a  child's  head,  was  converted  into  an  abscess  filled  with 
my  semi-liquid  pus. 


412  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

This  case  differed  from  the  preceding  in  that  all  appearance  of  lung 
tissue  was  gone  from  the  diseased  mass.  Only  on  the  exterior  the  lung 
tissue  could  be  recognized,  although  even  there  it  had  been  largely  con- 
verted into  very  dense  whitish  connective  tissue  inclosing  the  fungoid 
growth.  In  the  other  case  the  external  form  of  the  lung  and  the  shape 
and  outline  of  the  lobules  were  preserved,  but  the  lung  tissue  itself  was 
not  recognizable  as  such.  In  the  case  first  mentioned  the  changes  were 
still  less  marked,  and  actinomycosis  would  not  have  been  suspected  by 
a  simple  inspection.  These  few  illustrations  suffice  to  show  that  actino- 
mycosis of  the  lungs  may  appear  under  quite  different  forms,  and  that 
the  nature  of  the  disease  can  be  accurately  determined  only  by  finding 
the  fungus  itself.  Barely  actinomycosis  attacks  the  body  externally  in 
places  other  than  the  head  and  neck.  Crookshank  describes  the  case 
of  a  bull  in  which  the  flank  was  attacked  and  subsequently  the  scrotum 
became  diseased.  A  large  portion  of  the  skin  of  the  flank  was  destroyed 
and  covered  with  a  leathery  crust.  When  this  was  pulled  away  the  pus 
beneath  it  showed  the  actinoinyces  grains  to  the  naked  eye. 

Actinomycosis  may  in  some  cases  be  confounded  with  tuberculosis. 
The  diagnosis  does  not  offer  any  difficulties,  since  the  presence  of  the 
aetinomyces  fungus  at  once  removes  any  existing  doubts.  As  has 
already  been  intimated,  these  grains  are  visible  to  the  naked  eye,  and 
their  nature  is  readily  determined  with  the  aid  of  a  microscope. 

The  course  of  the  disease  is  quite  slow.  As  the  tumors  grow  they 
may  interfere  with  -the  natural  functions  of  the  body.  According  to 
their  situation,  mastication,  rumination,  or  breathing  may  be  interfered 
with,  and  in  this  way  the  animal  may  become  emaciated.  Actinomy- 
cosis of  the  jawbones  leads  to  destruction  of  the  teeth  and  impedes  the 
movements  necessary  to  chewing  the  food.  Similarly,  when  the  disease 
attacks  the  soft  parts  of  the  head  obstructions  may  arise  in  the  mouth 
by  an  inward  growth  of  the  tumor.  If  tumors  exist  in  the  pharynx 
they  may  partially  obstruct  the  movements  necessary  to  breathing,  or 
close  the  air-passages  and  cause  partial  suffocation.  Actinomycosis  of 
the  tongue,  in  interfering  with  the  many  and  varied  movements  of  this 
important  organ,  is  also  a  serious  matter.  There  is  no  reason  to  sup- 
pose that  the  localized  disease  interferes  with  the  general  health  in  any 
other  way  than  indirectly,  until  internal  organs,  such  as  the  lungs, 
become  involved. 

Prevention. — The  question  as  to  how  and  where  animals  take  this 
disease  is  one  concerning  which  we  are  still  in  the  stage  of  conjecture, 
because  we  possess  as  yet  very  little  information  concerning  the  life 
history  of  the  aetinomyces  itself.  The  quite  unanimous  view  of  all 
observers  is  that  animals  become  infected  with  the  food.  The  fungus 
is  lodged  upon  the  plants  and  in  some  way  enters  the  tissues  of  the 
head,  the  lungs,  and  the  digestive  tract,  where  it  sets  up  its  peculiar 
activity.  It  is  likewise  quite  generally  believed  that  the  fungus  is,  as 
it  were,  inoculated  into  the  affected  part.  This  inoculation  is  performed 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF   CATTLE.  413 

by  the  sharp  and  pointed  parts  of  plants  which  penetrate  the  mucous 
membrane  and  carry  with  them  the  fungus.  The  disease  is  therefore 
inoculable  rather  than  contagious.  The  mere  presence  of  the  diseased 
animal  will  not  give  rise  to  disease  in  healthy  animals  unless  the  acti- 
nomyces  grains  pass  directly  from  the  diseased  into  some  wound  or 
abrasion  of  the  healthy,  or  else  drop  upon  the  food  which  is  consumed 
by  the  healthy.  Not  only  are  these  views  deducible  from  clinical 
observation,  but  they  have  been  proved  by  the  positive  inoculation  of 
calves  and  smaller  animals  with  actinomyces.  The  danger  therefore 
of  the  presence  of  actinomyces  for  healthy  animals  is  a  limited  one. 
Nevertheless  an  animal  affected  with  this  disease  should  not  be  allowed 
to  go  at  large  or  run  with  other  animals.  If  the  fungus  is  being  scat- 
tered by  discharging  growths  we  certainly  can  not  state  at  this  stage 
of  our  knowledge  that  other  animals  may  not  be  infected  by  such  dis- 
tribution, and  we  must  assume  that  this  actually  occursmntil  more 
positive  information  is  at  hand. 

It  is,  however,  the  opinion  of  the  majority  of  authorities  that  when 
a<  tinomycosis  appears  among  a  large  number  of  animals  they  all  con- 
tract it  in  the  same  way  from  the  food.  Much  speculation  has  there- 
fore arisen  whether  any  particular  plant  or  group  of  plants  is  the  source 
of  the  infection,  and  whether  any  special  condition  of  the  soil  favors 
it.  Very  little  positive  information  is  at  hand  on  these  questions.  It 
would  be  very  desirable  for  those  who  live  in  localities  where  this 
disease  is  prevalent  to  make  statistical  and  other  observations  on  the 
occurrence  of  the  disease  with  reference  to  the  season  of  the  year,  the 
kind  of  food,  the  nature  of  the  soil  (whether  swampy  or  dry,  recently 
n -claimed  or  cultivated  for  a  long  time)  upon  which  the  animals  are 
pastured  or  upon  which  the  food  is  grown. 

It  is  highly  probable  that  such  investigations  will  lead  to  an  under- 
standing of  the  source  of  the  fungus  and  the  means  for  checking  the 
spreading  of  the  disease  itself.  Veterinarian  Jensen,  of  Denmark,  made 
sMjne  observations  upon  an  extensive  outbreak  of  actinomycosis,  about 
ten  years  ago,  which  led  him  to  infer  that  the  animals  were  inoculated 
liv  <-uting  barley  straw  harvested  from  pieces  of  ground  just  reclaimed 
from  the  sea.  While  the  animals  remained  unaffected  as  long  as  they 
pa -tured  on  this  ground,  or  ate  the  hay  obtained  from  it,  they  became 
diseased  after  eating  tlie  straw  of  cereals  from  the  name  territory. 
Others  have  found  that  cattle  grazing  upon  low  pastures  along  the 
banks  of  streams  and  subject  to  inundations  are  more  prone  to  the  dis- 
ease. It  has  also  been  observed  that  food  gathered  from  such  grounds 
may  give  rise  to  the  disease  even  after  prolonged  drying.  Much  addi- 
tional information  of  a  similar  kind  must  be  forthcoming  before  the 
source  and  manner  of  infection  in  this  disease  and  its  dependence  upon 
external  conditions  will  be  known.  It  is  not  at  nil  improbable  that 
these  may  vary  considerably  from  place  to  place. 

Treatment — This  has  been   until   recently  almost   entirely  surgical. 


414  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

When  the  tumors  are  external  and  attached  to  soft  parts  only,  an  early 
removal  may  lead  to  recovery.  This,  of  course,  can  only  be  undertaken 
by  a  trained  veterinarian,  especially  as  the  various  parts  of  the  head 
and  neck  contain  important  vessels,  nerves,  and  duct.s  which  should 
be  injured  as  little  as  possible  in  any  operation.  Unless  the  tumor  is 
completely  removed  it  \rill  reappear.  Disease  of  the  jawbones  is  at 
best  a  very  serious  matter,  and  treatment  is  likely  to  be  of  no  avail. 

In  March,  1892,  an  important  contribution  to  our  knowledge  of  this  sub- 
ject was  made  by  M.  Ifocard,  of  the  Alfort  Veterinary  School,  in  a  com- 
munication to  the  French  Central  Society  of  Veterinary  Medicine.  He 
showed  clearly  that  the  actinomycosis  of  the  tongue,  a  disease  which 
appears  to  be  quite  common  in  Germany,  and  is  there  known  as  "  wooden- 
ton  gue,"  could  be  quickly  and  permanently  cured  by  the  administration 
of  iodide  of  potassium.  M.  Nocard  calls  attention  to  the  success  of  M. 
Thomassen,  of  Utrecht,  who  recommended  this  treatment  as  long  ago 
as  ]  885,  and  who  has  since  treated  more  than  eighty  cases,  all  of  which 
have  been  cured.  A  French  veterinarian,  M.  Godbifle,  has  treated  a 
number  of  cases  of  actinomycosis  in  the  tongue  with  the  same  remedy, 
all  of  which  have  been  cured.  M.  Nocard  also  gives  details  of  a  case 
which  was  cured  by  himself. 

All  of  the  cases  referred  to  were  of  actinomycosis  of  the  tongue,  and 
no  one  appears  to  have  attempted  the  cure  of  actinomycosis  of  the  jaw 
until  this  was  undertaken  by  Dr.  Norgaard,  veterinary  inspector  of  the 
Bureau  of  Animal  Industry.  He  selected  a  young  steer  in  April,  1892, 
in  fair  condition,  which  had  a  tumor  on  the  jaw,  measuring  154  inches 
in  circumference,  and  from  which  a  discharge  had  already  been  estab- 
lished. This  animal  was  treated  with  iodide  of  potassium,  and  the 
result  was  a  complete  cure. 

The  treatment  with  iodide  of  potassium  consists  in  giving  full  doses 
of  this  medicine  once  or  twice  a  day  until  improvement  is  noticed,  when 
the  dose  may  be  reduced  or  given  less  frequently.  The  size  of  the  dose 
should  depend  somewhat  upon  the  weight  of  the  animal.  M.  Thomassen 
gives  one  and  one-half  drains  of  iodide  of  potassium  daily  in  one  dose, 
dissolved  in  a  pint  of  water  until  improvement  is  noticed,  which  he 
states  is  always  within  eight  days.  Then  he  decreases  the  dose  to  one 
dram.  The  animals  do  well  'under  this  treatment,  showing  only  the 
ordinary  symptoms  which  follow  the  use  of  iodine,  the  principal  ones 
being  discharged  from  the  nose,  weeping  of  the  eyes,  and  peeling  off  of 
the  outer  layer  of  the  skin.  These  symptoms  need  cause  no  uneasiness, 
as  they  never  result  in  any  serious  disturbance  of  the  health. 

M.  Godbille  has  given  as  much  as  four  drams  (half  an  ounce)  in  one 
day  to  a  steer,  decreasing  the  dose  half  a  dram  each  day  until  the  do'se 
was  one  and  one-fourth  drains,  which  was  maintained  until  the  twelfth 
day  of  treatment,  when  the  steer  appeared  entirely  cured. 

M.  Xocard  gave  the  first  day  one  and  one-half  drams  in  one  dose  to 
a  cow;  the  secou*  and  succeeding  days  a  dose  of  one  dram  in  the  morn- 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  415 

ing  aiul  evening,  in  each  case  before  feeding.  This  treatment  was  con- 
tinued for  tea  days.  when  the  animal  was  cured. 

Dr.  Xorgaard  gave  two  and  one-half  drams  dissolved  in  water  once 
a  day  for  three  days.  He  then  omitted  the  medicine  for  a  day  or  two, 
and  continued  it  according  to  symptoms.  These  examples  of  the  treat- 
ment as  it  has  been  successfully  administered  by  others  will  servo  as  a 
sufficient  indication  for  those  who  wish  to  test  it. 

Arfhiomycoisiii  anil  Hie  public  health. — The  interest  which  has  been 
aroused  concerning  this  cattle  disease  is  largely  due  to  the  fact  that 
the  same  disease  attacks  human  beings.  Its  slow  progress,  its  tend-. 
cncv  to  remain  restricted  to  certain  localities,  and  the  absence  of  any 
directly  contagious  properties,  have  thus  far  not  aroused  any  anxiety 
in  other  countries  as  to  its  influence  on  the  cattle  industry,  not  even  to 
the  point  of  placing  it  among  the  infectious  diseases  of  which  statistics 
are  annually  published.  Its  possible  bearing  on  public  health  has. 
however,  given  this  disease  a  place  in  the  public  mind  which  it  hardly 
deserves. 

It  has  already  been  stated  that  the  actinoinyces  fungus  found  in  hu- 
man disease  is  considered  by  authorities  the  same  as  that  occurring  in 
bovine  affections.  It  is  therefore  of  interest  to  conclude  this  article 
with  a  brief  discussion  of  the  disease  in  man  and  its  relation  to  acti- 
uomyeosis  in  cattle. 

In  man  the  location  of  the  disease  process  corresponds  fairly  well  with 
that  in  cattle.  The  majority  of  cases  which  have  been  reported  in  dif- 
ferent pa rts  <»f  the  world,  and  they  are  now  quite  numerous,  indicate 
disease  of  the  face.  The  skin  or  the  jawbones  may  become  affected, 
and  by  a  very  slow  process  it  may  extend  downward  upon  the  neck  ;:i  d 
even  into  the  cavity  of  the  chest.  In  many  cases  the  teeth  have  been 
found  in  a  state  of  more  or  less  advanced  decay  and  ulceration.  In  a 
few  cases  disease  of  the  lungs  was  observed  without  coexisting  disease 
of  the  Iwmes  or  soft  parts  of  the  head. »  In  such  cases  the  fungus  must 
li.ivc  been  inhaled.  The  disease  of  the  lungs  after  a.  time  extends  upon 
the  chest  wall.  Here  it  may  corrode  the  ribs  and  work  its  way  through 
the  muscles  and  the  skin.  An  abscess  is  thus  formed  discharging  pus 
containing  actinomyccs  grains.  Disease  of  the  digestive  organs  caused 
l>y  this  fungus  has  also  been  observed  in  a  few  instances. 

(i  rant  ing  the  identity  of  the  disease  in  man  and  cattle,  the  question 
ha-  Ueen  raised  whether  cattle  are  responsible  for  the  disease  in  man. 
1 1  in  emission  of  the  infectious  agent  may  be  conceived  of  as  taking 
place  during  the  life  of  the  animal  and  after  slaughter  from  the  meat. 
That  human  beings  have  contracted  actinomyces  by  coining  in  contact 
with  diseased  cattle  is  not  shown  by  the  cases  that  have  hitherto  been 
reported,  for  the  occupations  of  most  of  the  patients  did  not  bring  them 
into  any  relation  whatever  with  cattle.  While  the  possibility  of  mob 
direct  transmission  is  not  denied,  therefore,  it  must  be  considered  ex- 


416  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

tremely  rare.  Practically  the  same  position  is  maintained  at  present 
by  most  authorities  as  regards  the  transmission  of  the  disease  to  man 
by  eating  meat.  Israel,  who  has  studied  this  question  carefully,  found 
the  disease  in  Jews  who  never  ate  pork*  and  who  likewise  were  protected 
by  the  rigorous  meat  inspection  practiced  by  their  sect  from  bovine  acti- 
nomycosis.  Furthermore  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  actinomycosis  is 
a  local  disease  causing  great  destruction  of  tissue  where  the  fungus  mul- 
tiplies, but  very  rarely  becoming  generally  disseminated  over  the  body 
from  the  original  disease  focus.  The  fungus  is  only  found  in  places 
where  the  disease  process  is  manifest  to  the  eye  or  becomes  so  in  a  very 
short  time  after  the  lodgment  of  the  fungus.  Only  the  greatest  negli- 
gence would  allow  the  actually  diseased  parts  to  be  sold  and  consumed. 
Finally  this  parasite,  like  all  others,  would  be  destroyed  in  the  process 
of  cooking.  The  majority  of  authorities  thus  do  not  believe  that  actino- 
mycosis in  man  is  directly  traceable  to  the  disease  in  animals,  but  are  of 
the  opinion  that  both  man  and  animals  are  infected  from  a  third  source. 
This  source  has  already  been  discussed  above.  How  far  these  views 
may  be  modified  by  further  and  more  telling  investigations  of  the  par- 
asitic fungus  itself  no  one  can  predict.  There  are  still  wide  gaps  in  our 
knowledge,  and  the  above  presentation  simply  summarizes  theprevail- 

ACTINOMYCOSIS. 

[Description  of  plates.] 

PLATE  XXXIX.  Fig.  1.  Actinomycosis  of  the  jaw.  The  lower  jawbone  lias  been 
extensively  eaten  away  by  the  disease.  Fig.  2.  Actinomyces  fnugus  from  a  tumor 
of  the  jawbone  in  cattle,  magnified  550  times.  Both  figures  are  taken  from  Johne 
(Encyklopiidie  d.  ges.  Thierheilkunde). 

PLATE  XL.  Actinomycosis  of  the  lungs,  Fig.  1.  Transverse  section  of  the  ventral 
lobe  of  the  right  lung  from  a  case  studied  in  the  laboratory.  The  yellowish  dots 
represent  the  places  where  the  actinomyces  fungus  is  lodged.  The  larger  yellowish 
patches  are  produced  by  the  confluence  of  a  number  of  isolated  centers.  The  entire 
lobe  is  of  a  dark  flesh-red  color  due  to  collapse  and  broncho-pneumonia.  Fig.  2.  The 
cut  surface  of  a  portion  of  the  principal  lobe  of  the  same  lung,  showing  the  recent 
invasion  of  antinomy cosis  from  the  other  lobe:  a,  Large  air  tube;  &,  artery;  c,  a 
pneumonic  lobule;  d,  lobule  containing  minute  yellowish  dots.  In  these  the  actino- 
myces fungus  is  lodged.  Fig.  3.  Cut  surface  of  a  small  portion  of  another  lung, 
showing  a  few  lobules  a.  The  fungus  is  sprinkled  throughout  the  lung  tissue  in  the 
form  of  yellowish  grains,  as  shown  in  the  illustration.  The  pleural  covering  of  the 
lung  tissue  is  shown  in  profile  above. 

PL/TE  XLI.  Actinomycosis  of  the  jaw  (lumpy-jaw,  etc.),  reduced  one-half. 
(From  Johne,  in  Encyklopiidie  d.  gesammt.  Thierheilkunde.)  The  lower  jaw  is 
sawn  through  transversely,  t.  c.,  from  right  to  left,  and  shows  the  disease  within  the 
jawbone  itself;  a,  within  the  mouth,  showing  the  papilla;  on  the  mucous  membrane 
of  the  cheek ;  6,  front  view  of  a  molar  tooth ;  c,  the  skin  covering  the  lower  surface 
of  the  jawbone;  d,  the  jawbone  hollowed  out  and  enlarged  by  the  formation  of 
cavities  within  it,  which  are  filled  with  the  soft  growth  of  the  actinomycotic  tumor. 
The  section  makes  it  appear  as  if  the  bone  were  broken  into  fragments  and  these 
forced  apart;  e,  a  portion  of  the  tumor  which  has  broken  through  the  bone  and  the 
skin  and  appears  as  a  tumor  on  the  cheek.  The  little  roundish  masses  represent  the 
granulomata  (minute  tumors)  in  which  the  fungus  vegetates. 

*  Swine  are  subject  to  actiuomycosis. 


•ct 


PI.ATK     XI,1 


^'VIAWV'- 


.\i'Ti.No.\r\  rosis   01    Tin-:    .i.\\v 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  417 

ing  views  to  which  there  are  of  course  dissenters.  Aii  attempt  to  give 
the  views  of  both  sides  on  this  question  would  necessitate  the  summa- 
rizing and  impartial  discussion  of  all  the  experiments  thus  far  made — 
a  ta.sk  entirely  beyond  the  scope  of  the  present  work. 

Whether  an  animal  affected  with  actinomycosis  should  be  used  for 
human  food  after  all  diseased  organs  and  tissues  have  been  thoroughly 
removed  is  a  question  the  answer  of  which  depends  on  a  variety  of 
circumstances.  Among  these  may  be  mentioned  the  thoroughness  of 
the  meat  inspection  itself,  which  allows  no  really  diseased  animal  to 
pass  muster,  the  extent  of  the  disease,  and  the  general  condition  of  the 
animal  affected.  If  the  vital  organs  have  become  involved,  or  if  the 
disease  has  become  generalized,  the  condition  of  the  animal  will  show 
it.  Animals  seriously  diseased  and  in  which  the  general  condition  is 
a  fleeted  should  in  all  cases  be  condemned.  Hard  and  fast  lines  it 
would  be  impossible  to  draw  in  this  as  in  some  other  diseases,  and  it 
must  be  left  to  the  skill  of  the  inspector,  reinforced  by  the  knowledge 
and  practice  of  the  entire  civilized  world  and  the  advances  constantly 
made  in  our  interpretation  of  disease,  to  settle  the  fitness  or  unfitness 
of  each  case  as  it  comes  up. 

ANTHRAX. 

Anthrax  or  charbon  may  be  defined  as  an  infectious  disease  which  is 
caused  by  specific  bacteria,  known  as  anthrax  bacilli,  and  which  is 
more  or  less  restricted  by  conditions  of  soil  and  moisture  to  definite 
geographical  localities.  While  it  is  chiefly  limited  to  cattle  and  sheep 
it  may  be  transmitted  to  goats,  horses,  and  certain  kinds  of  game. 
Smaller  animals,  such  as  mice,  rabbits,  and  guinea-pigs  speedily  succumb 
to  inoculation.  Dogs  and  swine  are  nearly  insusceptible.  The  variety 
i.i  domesticated  animals  which  it  may  attack  renders  it  oneof  the  most 
•  Ireaded  scourges  of  animal  life.  It  may  even  attack  man.  Of  this 
more  will  be  stated  farther  on. 

The  cause  of  anthrax  is  a  microscopic  organism  known  as  the  anthrax 
bacillus.  (See  Plate  xxix,  Fig.  7.)  In  form  it  is  cylindrical  or  rod  like, 
measuring  3-^5  to  f^ff  inch  in  length  and  jjj^jy  inch  in  diameter.  Like 
all  hactvria  these  rod  like  bodies  have  the  power  of  indefinite  multipli- 
cation, and  in  the  body  of  infected  animals  they  produce  death  by  rap- 
idly increasing  in  numbers  and  prodneing  substances  which  poison  the 
body.  In  the  blood  they  multiply  in  number  by  becoming  elongated  and 
then  dividing  into  two,  each  new  organism  continuing  the  same  process 
indefinitely.  Outside  of  the  body,  however,  they  multiply  in  a  different 
way  when  under  conditions  unfavorable  to  growth.  Oval  bodies  ap- 
pear within  the  rods  which  are  called  spores,  and  which  remain  alive 
ami  capable  of  germination  after  years  of  drying.  They  also  resist 
lit  -at  to  a  remarkable  degree,  so  that  boiling  water  is  necessary  to  de- 
stroy them.  The  bacilli  themselves,  on  the  other  hand,  show  only  very 
24097 27 


418  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

little  resistance  to  heat  and  drying.  It  has  long  been  known  that  the 
anthrax  virus  thrives  best  under  certain  conditions  of  the  soil  and  on 
territories  subject  to  floods  and  inundations.  The  particular  kinds  of 
soil  upon  which  the  disease  is  observed  are  black,  loose,  warm,  humus 
soils,  also  those  containing  lime,  marl,  and  clay,  finally  peaty,  .swampy 
soils  resting  upon  strata  which  hold  the  water,  or,  in  other  words,  are 
impervious.  Hence  fields  containing  stagnant  pools  may  be  the  source 
of  infection.  The  infection  may  be  limited  to  certain  farms,  or  even  to 
restricted  areas  on  such  farms.  Even  in  the  Alps,  over  3.000  feet  above 
sea  level,  where  such  conditions  prevail  in  secluded  valleys  anthrax  per- 
sists among  herds. 

Aside  from  these  limitations  to  specific  conditions  of  the  soil,  anthrax 
is  a  disease  of  world-wide  distribution.  It  exists  in  most  countries  of 
Europe,  in  Asia,  Africa,  Australia,  and  in  our  own  country  in  the  Lower 
Mississippi  Yalley  and  perhaps  elsewhere. 

Meteorological  conditions  have  also  an  important  share  in  determin- 
ing the  severity  of  the  disease.  On  those  tracts  subject  to  inundations 
in  spring,  a  very  hot,  dry  summer  is  apt  to  cause  a  severe  outbreak. 
The  relation  which  the  bacillus  bear;s  to  these  conditions  is  not  posi- 
tive!}" known.  It  may  be  that  during  and  immediately  after  inunda- 
tions or  in  stagnant  water  the  bacilli  find  enough  nourishment  in  the 
water  hero  and  there  to  multiply  and  produce  an  abundant  crop  of 
spores,  which  are  subsequently  carried,  in  a  dry  condition,  by  the  winds 
during  the  period  of  drought  and  disseminated  over  the  vegetation. 
Animals  feeding  upon  this  vegetation  may  contract  the  disease  if  the 
spores  germinate  in  the  body. 

Another  source  of  the  virus,  and  one  regarded  by  many  authorities  as 
perhaps  the  most  important,  are  the  bodies  of  animals  which  have  died 
of  anthrax.  It  will  be  remembered  that  in  such  bodies  the  anthrax 
bacilli  are  present  in  enormous  numbers,  and  wherever  blood  or  other 
body  fluids  are  exposed  to  the  air  on  the  surface  of  the  carcass  there 
the  formation  of  spores  will  go  on  in  the  warm  season  of  the  year  with 
great  rapidity.  It  will  thus  be  readily  understood  how  this  disease  may 
become  stationary  in  a  given  locality  and  appear  year  after  year  and 
even  grow  in  severity  if  the  carcasses  of  animals  which  have  succumbed 
to  it  are  not  properly  disposed  of.  These  should  be  buried  deeply,  so 
that  spore  formation  may  be  prevented  and  no  animal  have  access  to 
them.  By  exercising  this  precaution  the  disease  will  not  be  dissemi- 
nated by  flies  and  other  insect  pests. 

We  have  thus  two  agents  at  work  in  maintaining  the  disease  in  any 
locality,  the  soil  and  meteorological  conditions  and  the  carcasses  of 
animals  that  have  died  of  the  disease.  Besides  these  dangers,  which  are 
of  immediate  consequence  to  cattle  on  pastures,  the  virus  may  be  car- 
ried from  place  to  place  in  hides,  and  it  may  be  stored  in  the  hay  or 
other  fodder  from  the  infected  fields  and  cause  an  outbreak  among 
stabled  animals  feeding  upon  it  in  winter. 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF   CATTLE.  419 

How  cattle  arc  infected. — We  have  seen  above  that  the  spores  of  the 
anthrax  bacilli,  which  correspond  in  their  functions  to  the  seeds  of  higher 
plants,  and  which  are  the  elements  that  resist  the  unfavorable  conditions 
in  the  soil,  air,  and  water  longest,  are  the  chief  agents  of  infection.  They 
may  be  taken  into  the  body  with  the  food  and  produce  disease  which 
begins  in  the  intestinal  tract;  or  they  may  come  in  contact  with 
scratches,  bites,  or  other  wounds  of  the  "skin,  the  mouth,  and  tongue, 
and  produce  in  these  situations  swellings  or  carbuncles.  From  such 
swellings  the  bacilli  penetrate  into  the  blood  and  produce  a  general 
disease. 

It  has  likewise  been  claimed  that  the  disease  may  be  transmitted  by 
various  kinds  of  insects  which  carry  the  bacilli  from  the  sick  and  inoc- 
ulate the  healthy  as  they  pierce  the  skin.  When  infection  of  the  blood 
takes  place  from  the  intestines  the  carbuncles  may  be  absent.  It  has 
already  been  stated  that  since  the  anthrax  spores  live  for  several  years 
the  disease  may  be  contracted  in  winter  from  food  gathered  on  per- 
manently infected  fields. 

The  disease  may  appear  sporadically,  i.  e.,  only  one  or  several  ani- 
mals may  be  infected  while  the  rest  of  the  herd  remain  well,  or  it  may 
appear  as  an  epizootic  attacking  a  large  number  at  about  the  same 
time. 

Xyniptoms. — The  symptoms  in  cattle  vary  considerably,  according 
the  disease  begins  in  the  skin,  in  the  lungs  or  in  the  intestines.  They 
depend  also  on  the  severity  of  the  attack.  Thus  we  may  have  what  is 
called  anthrax peracutus  or  apoplectiform,  when  the  animal  dies  very 
suddenly  as  if  from  apoplexy.  Such  cases  usually  occur  in  the  begin- 
ning of  an  outbreak.  The  animal,  without  having  shown  any  signs 
of  disease,  suddenly  drops  down  in  the  pasture  and  dies  in  convulsions, 
or  an  animal  apparently  well  at  night  is  found  dead  in  the  morning. 

The  second  type — anthrax  acutus — without  any  external  swellings  is 
the  one  most  commonly  observed  in  cattle.  The  disease  begins  with  a 
high  IVver.  The  temperature  may  reach  100°  to  107°  F.  The  pulse  beats 
from  80  to  100  per  minute.  Feeding  and  rumination  arc  suspended. 
Chills  and  muscular  tremors  may  appear  and  the  skin  show  uneven 
temperature.  Tlio  ears  and  base  of  the  horns  are  cold,  the  coat  star- 
ing. The  animals  are  dull  and  stupid  and  manifest  great  weakness. 

To  these  symptoms  others  arc  added  in  the  course  of  the  disease. 
The  dullness  may  give  way  to  great  uneasiness,  champing  of  the  jaws, 
>pa-m  i  of  the  limbs,  kicking  and  pawing  the  ground.  The  breathing 
may  heroine  labored.  The  nostrils  then  dilate,  the  mouth  is  open,  the 
he;id  raised  and  all  muscles  of  the  chest  are  strained  during  breathing 
while  the  visible  inucuous  membranes  (nose,  mouth,  rectum  and  vagina) 
heroine  bluish.  If  tlie  disease  has  started  in  the  bowels  there  is  much 
pain,  as  shown  by  the  moaning  of  the  animal;  the  discharges  at  first 
linn  heeome  softer  and  covered  with  serum,  mucus  and  blood. 

As  the  disease  approaches  the  fatal  termination  the  weakness  of  the 


420  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

animal  increases.  It  leans  against  supports  or  lies  down.  Blood-ves- 
sels may  rupture  and  give  rise  to  spots  of  blood  on  the  various  mucous 
membranes  and  bloody  discharges  from  nose,  mouth,  rectum  and  vagina. 
The  urine  not  unfrequently  contains  blood  (red- water).  Death  ensues 
within  one  or  two  days. 

A  third  type  of  the  disease — anthrax  subacutus — includes  those  cases 
in  which  the  disease  is  more  prolonged.  It  may  last  from  three  to  seven 
days  and  terminate  fatally  or  end  in  recovery.  In  this  type,  which  is 
rarely  observed,  the  symptoms  are  practically  as  described  in  the  acute 
form,  only  less  marked. 

In  connection  with  these  types  of  intestinal  anthrax  swellings  may 
appear  under  the  skin  in  different  parts  of  the  body,  or  the  disease  may 
start  from  such  a  swelling,  caused  by  the  inoculation  of  anthrax  spores 
in  one  of  the  several  different  ways  already  described.  If  the  disease 
begins  in  the  skin  it  agrees  in  general  with  the  subacute  form  in  pro- 
longed duration,  and  it  may  occasionally  terminate  in  recovery  if  the 
swellings  are  thoroughly  incised  and  treated. 

These  swellings  appear  as  O3demas  and  carbuncles.  The  former  are 
doughy  tumors  of  a  more  or  less  flattish  form  passing  gradually  into 
the  surrounding  healthy  tissue.  They  are  situated  as  a  rule  beneath 
the  skin  in  the  fatty  layer,  and  the  skin  itself  is  at  first  of  healthy 
appearance,  so  that  they  are  often  overlooked,  especially  when  covered 
with  a  good  coat  of  hair.  When  they  are  cut  open  they  are  found  to 
consist  of  a  peculiar  jelly-like  mass  of  a  yellowish  color  and  more  or  less 
stained  by  blood.  The  carbuncles  are  firm,  hot,  tender  swellings  which 
later  become  cool  and  painless  and  undergo  mortification.  The  osdemas 
and  carbuncles  may  also  appear  in  the  mouth,  pharynx,  larynx,  in  the 
tongue  and  in  the  rectum. 

The  bodies  of  cattle  which  have  died  of  anthrax  soon  lose  their 
rigidity  and  become  bloated,  because  decomposition  sets  in  very  rapidly. 
From  the  mouth,  nose,  and  anus  blood-stained  fluid  flows  in  small 
quantities.  When  such  carcasses  are  opened  and  examined  it  will  be 
found  that  nearly  all  organs  are  sprinkled  with  spots  of  blood  or  extrav- 
asations of  various  sizes.  The  spleen  is  enlarged  from  two  to  five 
times,  the  pulp  blackish  and  soft  and  occasionally  disintegrated.  The 
blood  is  of  tarry  consistency,  not  firmly  coagulated,  and  blackish  in 
color.  In  the  abdomen,  the  thoracic  cavity,  and  in  the  pericardium  or 
bag  surrounding  the  heart  more  or  less  blood-stained  fluid  is  present. 
In  addition  to  these  characteristic  signs  the  carbuncles  and  swellings 
under  the  skin  already  described  will  aid  in  determining  the  true 
nature  of  the  disease.  The  most  reliable  method  of  diagnosis  is  the 
examination  of  the  blood  and  tissues  for  anthrax  bacilli.  This  requires 
a  trained  bacteriologist. 

Treatment. — This  is  as  a  rule  ineffectual  and  useless,  excepting  per- 
haps in  cases  which  originate  from  external  wounds.  The  swellings 
t  should  be  opened  freely  by  long  incisions  with  a  sharp  knife  and 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  421 

I 

washed  daily  several  times  with  carbolic  acid  solution  (one  ounce  to  a 
quart  of  water).  When  suppuration  has  set  in,  the  treatment  recom- 
mended in  the  chapter  on  wounds  should  be  carried  out. 

Prevention. — Sinc6  treatment  is  of  little  or  no  avail  in  this  disease, 
prevention  is  the  most  important  subject  demanding  consideration. 
The  various  means  to  be  suggested  may  be  brought  under  two  heads : 
(1)  The  surroundings  of  the  animal;  and  (2)  protective  inoculation. 

(1)  What  has  already  been  stated  in  the  foregoing  pages  on  those 
conditions  of  the  pastures  which  are  favorable  to  anthrax  will  suggest 
to  most  minds  after  a  little  thought  some  of  the  preventive  measures 
\\hich  may  be  of  service  in  reducing  losses  in  anthrax  localities.  All 
that  conduces  to  a  better  state  of  the  soil  should  be  attempted.  The 
state  or  nation  should  do  its  share  in  preventing  frequent  inundations, 
by  appropriate  engineering.  If  pools  of  stagnant  water  exist  on  the 
pastures,  or  if  any  particular  portions  are  known  by  experience  to  give 
rise  to  anthrax,  they  should  be  fenced  off.  Efforts  should  likewise  be 
made  towards  the  proper  draining  of  swampy  lands  frequented  by  cat- 
tle. Sometimes  it  has  been  found  desirable  to  abandon  for  a  season 
any  infected  and  dangerous  pastures.  This  remedy  can  not  be  carried 
out  by  most  farmers,  and  it  is  liable  to  extend  the  infected  territory. 
In  some  instances  withdrawal  of  cattle  from  pastures  entirely  and  feed- 
ing them  in  stables  is  said  to  have  reduced  the  losses. 

It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  carcasses  of  animals  which  have 
died  of  anthrax  should  be  properly  disposed  of,  since  every  portion  of 
>u<  h  animal  contains  the  bacilli  ready  to  form  spores  when  exposed  to 
the  air.  Perhaps  the  simplest  means  is  to  bury  the  carcasses  deep, 
\vlu-re  they  can  not  be  exposed  by  dogs  or  wild  animals.  It  may  be 
necessary  to  bury  them  on  the  pasture,  but  it  is  better  to  remove  them 
to  places  not  frequented  by  susceptible  animals.  If  they  are  moved 
SIIMUJ  distance  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  ground  and  all  objects 
which  have  come  in  contact  with  the  carcass  should  be  disinfected. 
This  is  best  accomplished  with  chloride  of  lime.  For  washing  utensils, 
»•!«..  a  5  per  cent  solution  maybe  prepared  by  adding  3  ounces  to  2 
q i i;iits  of  water.  This  should  be  prepared  fresh  from  the  powder,  and  it 
is  but  little  trouble  to  have  a  MI  mil  tin  measure  of  known  capacity  to 
dip  out  the  powder  to  be  added  to  the  water  whenever  necessary.  The 
r;ir<  ass  and  the  ground  should  be  sprinkled  with  powdered  chloride,  or 
if  this  be  not  at  hand,  an  abundance  of  ordinary  slaked  or  unslaked 
linn-  should  be  used  in  it«  place. 

The  removal  of  carcasses  to  rendering  establishments  is  always 
fraught  with  danger,  unless  those  who  handle  them  are  thoroughly 
aware  of  the  danger  of  scattering  the  virus  by  careless  handling  in 
wagons  which  are  not  tight.  As  a  rule,  the  persons  in  charge  of  anch 
transfer  have  no  training  for  this  important  work,  so  that  deep  burial 
is  to  be  preferred.  Burning  large  carcasses  IN  rarely  feasible.  It  is, 
however,  the  most  certain  means  of  destroying  infectious  material  of 


422  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

any  kind,  and  should  be  resorted  to  whenever  practicable.  When  sta- 
bles have  become  infected  they  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned  out,  and 
the  solution  of  chloride  of  lime  freely  applied  on  floors  and  woodwork. 
The  feed  should  be  carefully  protected  from  contamination  with  the 
manure  or  other  discharges  from  the  sick. 

Protective  inoculation  was  first  introduced  by  Louis  Pasteur  about 
ten  years  ago,  and  has  been  quite  extensively  practiced  in  France  and  to 
some  extent  in  other  European  countries.  The  fluid  used  for  inocula- 
tion consists  of  bouillon  in  which  modified  anthrax  bacilli  have  multi- 
plied and  are  present  in  large  numbers.  The  bacilli  have  been  modified 
by  heat  so  that  they  have  lost  to[a  certain  degree  their  original  virulence. 
Two  vaccines  have  been  prepared.  The  first  or  weakest  for  the  first 
inoculation,  and  the  second  or  stronger  for  a  second  inoculation  some 
twelve  days  later. 

These  vaccines  have  been  used  for  cattle  and  sheep.  Their  power  to 
prevent  an  attack  of  anthrax  subsequently  has  been  the  subject  of  con- 
troversy ever  since  their  use  began.  The  French  claim,  that  the  vac- 
cines are  successful  in  protecting  cattle  and  sheep  and  that  the  losses 
from  anthrax  in  France  have  been  much  reduced  by  their  persistent 
application.  According  to  other  observers  there  are  several  difficulties 
inherent  in  the  practical  application  of  anthrax  vaccination.  Among 
these  may  be  mentioned  the  variable  degree  of  attenuation  of  different 
tubes  of  the  vaccine  and  the  varying  susceptibility  of  the  animals  to  be 
inoculated.  It  would  be  impossible  at  present  to  decide  from  pub- 
lished statistics  as  to  the  relative  value  of  these  anthrax  inoculations 
in  preventing  losses.  While  some  authorities  regard  the  vaccination  of 
sheep  of  little  use  because  of  the  losses  directly  due  to  the  vaccination, 
they  admit  that  vaccination- of  cattle  is  accompanied  by  fewer  losses, 
and  that  it  seems  to  be  protective  and  of  use  in  localities  where  the  dis- 
ease regularly  appears  every  year,  and  is,  so  to  speak,  bound  to  the  soil. 

It  is  very  important  to  call  attention  to  the  possibility  of  distributing 
anthrax  by  this  method  of  protective  inoculation,  since  the  bacilli  them- 
selves are  present  in  the  culture  liquid.  It  is  true  that  they  have  been 
modified  and  weakened  by  the  process  adopted  by  Pasteur,  but  it  is  not 
impossible  that  such  modified  virus  may  regain  its  original  virulence 
after  it  has  been  scattered  broadcast  by  the  inoculation  of  large  herds. 
No  vaccination  should  therefore  be  permitted  in  localities  free  from 
anthrax. 

ANTHRAX  IN  MAN — (MALIGNANT   PUSTULE,  OH   CARBUNCLE.) 

Anthrax  may  be  transmitted  to  man  in  handling  the  carcasses  and 
hides  of  animals  which  have  succumbed  to  the  disease.  The  infection 
usually  takes  place  through  some  abrasion  or^light  wound  of  the  skin 
into  which  the  anthrax  spores  or  bacilli  find  their  way.  The  point  of 
inoculation  appears  at  first  as  a  dark  point  or  patch,  compared  by  some 
writers  to  the  sting  of  a  flea.  After  a  few  hours  this  is  changed  into  a 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  423 

reddened  pimple  which  bears  on  its  summit,  usually  around  a  hair,  a 
yellowish  blister  or  vesicle  which  later  on  becomes  red  or  bluish  in  color. 
The  burning  sensation  in  this  stage  is  very  great.  Later  on,  this  pimple 
enlarges,  its  center  becomes  dry,  gangrenous,  and  is  surrounded  by  an 
elevated  discolored  swelling.  The  center  becomes  drier  and  more 
leather-like,  and  sinks  in  as  the  whole  increases  in  size.  The  skin 
around  this  swelling,  or  carbuncle,  is  stained  yellow  or  bluish,  and  is 
not  infrequently  swollen  and  doughy  to  the  touch.  The  carbuncle 
itself  rarely  grows  larger  than  a  pea  or  a  small  nut,  and  is  but  slightly 
painful. 

Anthrax  swellings,  or  redemas,  already  described  as  occurring  in  cat- 
tle, may  also  be  found  in  man,  and  they  are  at  times  so  extensive  as  to 
produce  distortion  in  the  appearance  of  the  part  of  the  body  on  which 
they  are  located.  The  color  of  the  skin  over  these  swellings  varies 
rding  to  the  situation  and  thickness  of  the  skin  and  the  stage  of 
the  disease.,  and  may  be  white,  red,  bluish,  and  blackish. 

As  these  carbuncles  and  swellings  may  lead,  sooner  or  later,  to  an  in- 
fection of  the  entire  body  and  thus  be  fatal,  surgical  assistance  should 
at  once  be  called  if  there  is  well-grounded  suspicion  that  any  swelling* 
.ubling  those  described  above  have  been  due  to  inoculation  with 
anthrax  virus.  Inasmuch  as  physicians  differ  as  to  treatment  of  such 
accidents  in  man,  it  would  be  out  of  place  to  make  any  suggestions  in 
this  connection. 

To  show  that  the  transmission  of  anthrax  to  man  is  not  so  very 
uncommon  we  take  the  following  figures  from  the  last  report  of  the 
German  Government  (1890).  One  hundred  and  eleven  cases  were  brought 
ti>  the  notice  of  the  authorities,  of  which  eleven  terminated  fatally.  The 
largest  number  of  inoculations  were  due  to  the  slaughtering,  opening,  and 
skinning  of  animals  affected  with  anthrax.  Hence  the  butchers  suffered 
iii<>:4  extensively.  Of  the  one  hundred  and  eleven,  thirty-six  belonged 
to  this  craft. 

In  addition  to  anthrax  of  the  skin  (known  as  malignant  pustule), 
human  beings  are  subject,  though  very  rarely,  to  the  disease  of  the 
lungs  and  the  digestive  organs.  In  the  former  case  the  spores  are 
inhaled  by  workmen  in  establishments  in  which  wool,  hides,  and  rags 
are  worked  over.  In  the  latter  case  the  disease  is  contracted  by  eat- 
ing the  flesh  of  diseased  animals  which  has  not  been  thoroughly  cooked. 
These  forms  of  the  disease  are  more  fatal  than  those  in  which  the  disease 
starts  from  the  skin. 

BLACK-QUARTER. 

I. lack-quarter,  black-leg,  charbon  tymptomatique  of  the  French, 
of  the  Germans,  is  a  rapidly  fatal  infectious  disease  of 
cattle,  associated  with  external  swellings  which  emit  a  crackling 
M»mid  when  handled.  This  disease  was  formerly  regarded  identical 
with  anthrax,  but  the  investigations  of  the  past  ten  or  fifteen  years 


424  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

have  definitely  proved  that  it  is  a  specific  disease  produced  by  bacilli, 
readily  distinguishable  from  anthrax  bacilli.  (Plate  xxix,  Fig.  4.) 
Cuttle  between  6  months  and  4  years  of  age  are  the  most  susceptible. 
Sucking  calves  under  6  months  are  not  attacked,  nor  are  they  as  sus- 
ceptible to  inoculation  as  older  animals. 

Like  anthrax,  black-quarter  is  more  or  less  restricted  to  definite 
localities.  There  are  certain  pastures  upon  which  the  disease  regularly 
appears  in  the  summer  and  fall  of  the  year.  As  to  any  peculiarities  of 
the  soil  nothing  is  definitely  known.  Some  authors  are  inclined  to 
regard  moist,  undrained,  and  swampy  pastures  favorable  to  this  disease. 
It  occurs  in  different  parts  of  our  own  country.  In  Europe  it  exists  in 
France,  various  parts  of  Germany,  in  Belgium,  Italy,  in  the  Alps,  and 
in  Algeria. 

The  cause  of  the  disease  is  a  bacillus  resembling  in  some  respects 
the  anthrax  bacillus,  and  differing  but  little  from  it  in  size.  It  also 
possesses  the  power  of  forming  within  itself  a  spore.  In  Plate  xxix, 
Fig.  4,  this  is  represented  as  an  uncolored  spot  located  in  one  end  of 
the  rod,  which  is  enlarged  so  that  the  rod  itself  appears  more  or  less 
club-shaped.  What  has  already  been  stated,  concerning  the  significance 
of  the  spore  of  the  anthrax  bacillus  applies  equally  well  to  these 
bodies.  They  resist  destructive  agents  for  a  considerable  length  of 
time,  and  may  still  produce  disease  when  inoculated  after  several  years 
of  drying.  This  fact, may  account  for  the  occasional  appearance  of 
black-quarter  in  stables.  The  dry  spores  are  carried  in  the  hay  or  other 
feed  from  the  field,  and  cause  disease  when  eaten  by  the  susceptible 
animals.  Several  observers  have  found  this  organism  in  the  mud  of 
swamps.  By  placing  a  little  of  this  mud  under  the  skin  the  disease 
has  been  called  forth. 

Since  the  disease  may  be  produced  by  placing  under  the  skin  mate- 
rial containing  the  specific  bacilli  and  spores,  it  has  been  assumed  that 
cattle  contract  the  disease  mainly  through  wounds,  either  of  the  skin 
or  of  the  mouth,  tongue,  and  throat.  Slight  wounds  into  which  the 
virus  may  find  access  may  be  caused  by  sharp  or  pointed  parts  of  the 
food. 

The  symptoms  of  black-quarter  are  both  of  a  general  and  a  local 
nature.  The  general  symptoms  are  very  much  like  those  belonging  to 
other  acute  infectious  or  bacterial  diseases.  They  begin  from  one  to 
three  days  after  the  infection  has  taken  place,  with  loss  of  appetite  and 
of  rumination,  with  dullness  and  debility  and  a  high  fever.  The  tem- 
perature may  rise  to  107°  F.  To  these  maybe  added  lameness  or  stiff- 
ness of  one  or  more  limbs,  due  to  the  tumor  or  swelling  quite  invariably 
accompanying  the  disease.  After  a  period  of  disease  lasting  from  one 
and  a  half  to  three  days  the  affected  animal  almost  always  succumbs. 
Death  is  preceded  by  increasing  weakness,  difficult  breathing,  and 
occasional  attacks  of  colic. 

The  most  important  characteristic  of  this  disease  is  the  appearance 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  425 

of  a  tumor  or  swelling  under  the  skin  of  the  affected  animal  a  few  hours 
after  the  setting  in  of  the  constitutional  symptoms  described  above. 
In  some  cases  it  may  appear  first.  This  tumor  may  be  located  on  the 
thighs  (hence  "  black-leg,"  "  black-quarter "),  the  neck,  the  shoulder, 
the  breast,  the  flanks,  or  the  ruinpj  never  below  the  carpal  (or  knee) 
and  the  hock  joint.  It  more  rarely  appears  in  the  throat  and  at  the 
base  of  the  tongue.  The  tumor,  at  first  small  and  painful,  spreads  very 
rapidly  both  in  depth  and  extent.  When  it  is  stroked  or  handled  a 
l)eculiar  crackling  sound  is  heard  under  the  skin.  This  is  due  to  a  col- 
lection of  gas  formed  by  the  bacilli  as  they  multiply.  At  this  stage  the 
skin  becomes  dry,  parchment-like,  and  cool  to  the  touch  in  the  center  of 
the  tumor.  If  the  swelling  is  cut  into,  a  frothy,  dark  red,  rather  disa- 
greebly  smelling  fluid  is  discharged.  The  animal  manifests  little  or  no 
pain  during  the  operation. 

As  it  is  frequently  desirable  to  know  whether  the  disease  is  anthrax 
or  black- quarter,  a  few  of  the  most  obvious  post-mortem  changes  may 
here  be  cited.  The  characteristic  tumor  with  its  crackling  sound  when 
stroked  has  already  been  described.  If,  after  the  death  of  the  animal, 
it  be  more-thoroughly  examined,  it  will  be  noted  that  the  tissue  under 
the  skin  is  infiltrated  with  blood  and  yellowish,  jelly-like  material  and 
-as  bubbles.  The  muscular  tissue  beneath  the  swelling  maybe  brown- 
ish or  black,  shading  into  dark  red  and  dark  yellow.  It  is  soft  and 
easily  torn  and  broken  up.  In  the  abdomen  and  the  thorax  blood- 
stained fluid  is  not  infrequently  found,  together  with  blood-staining  of 
the  lining  membrane  of  these  cavities.  Blood  spots  (or  ecchymoses) 
are  also  found  on  the  heart  and  lungs. 

Among  the  features  of  this  disease  which  distinguish  it  from  anthrax 
may  l>c  mentioned  the  unchanged  spleen  and  the  ready  clotting  of  the 
blood.  It  will  be  remembered  that  in  anthrax  the  spleen  (milt)  is  very 
much  enlarged/ the  blood  tarry,  coagulating  feebly.  The  anthrax  car- 
Imncles  and  swellings  differ  from  the  black  quarter  swellings  in  not  con- 
taining gas  and  in  causing  death  less  rapidly.  Other  means  of  diag- 
nosis, which  have  reference  to  the  specific  bacilli,  to  the  iuoculable 
character  of  the  virus  upon  small  animals,  and  which  are  of  decisive 
and  final  importance,  can  be  utilized  only  by  the  trained  bacteriologist 
and  veterinarian. 

Treatment. — In  this  disease  remedies  have  thus  far  proved  unavail- 
ing. Some  writers  recommend  that  the  swelling  be  opened  by  deep 
and  lon#  incisions  and  a  strong  disinfectant  applied  to  the  exposed 
p.uts.  For  such  application  a  strong  carbolic-acid  solution  (1  ounce 
carbolic  acid  to  a  pint  of  water)  is  perhaps  the  most  easily  obtained. 
Others  recommend  that  if  the  tumor  appears  low  down  on  a  limb  a 
cord  be  lied  around  the  limb  just  above  the  tumor  and  the  latter  opened 
and  treated  as  stated  above.  Since,  nearly  all  those  attacked  die,  there 
is  no  harm  in  trying  these  rather  heroic  suggestions. 

I'rcvention. — The  various  means  suggested  under  anthrax  to  prevent 


426  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  spread  or  recurrence  of  this  disease  are  equally  applicable  to  black- 
quarter,  and  hence  do  not  need  to  be  repeated  here.  Furthermore,  there 
is  practically  no  danger  of  a  transmission  of  this  disease  from  one 
animal  to  another,  since  it  is  contracted  on  the  pastures  from  the  ground 
and  in  stables  from  the  food. 

Before  closing  this  brief  account  of  the  disease  it  may  be  interest- 
ing to  mention  the  efforts  which  have  been  made  in  the  direction  of 
preventive  inoculation.  Three  French  veterinarians,  Arloing,  Oorne- 
vin,  and  Thomas,  have  devised  a  method  of  inoculation  which  produces 
immunity  from  subsequent  attacks.  The  method  has  undergone  various 
modifications  in  their  hands,  and  at  present  consists  in  an  inoculation 
of  weakened  virus  beneath  the  skin  of  the  tail.  The  virus  is  prepared 
as  follows : 

The  muscular  tissue  from  the  site  of  the  swelling  is  dried  rapidly 
and  then  mixed  with  two  parts  of  water.  The  mixture  is  allowed  to 
dry  in  ovens  raised  to  a  certain  temperature.  Two  vaccines  are  pre- 
pared, a  first  or  weaker  vaccine  which  has  been  exposed  to  a  dry  heat 
of  212°  F.  for  six  hours,  and  a  second  or  stronger  vaccine  exposed  to 
the  lower  temperature  of  185°  F.  for  the  same  length  of  time.  Of  each 
of  these  dried  vaccines  a  small  quantity  is  ground  up  with  water  and 
injected  under  the  skin  of  the  tail.  The  second  vaccine  is  injected  ten 
days  after  the  first.  Those  who  have  tried  this  method  regard  it  as 
safe  and  valuable  in  those  districts  where  the  disease  annually  recurs. 

MALIGNANT    CATARRH. 

Malignant  catarrh'  or  infectious  catarrhal  fever  may  be  defined  as  an 
acute  infectious  disease  of  cattle,  in  which  the  respiratory  and  the  diges- 
tive organs  are  involved  in  the  disease.  The  cause  of  this  affection  has 
not  as  yet  been  determined,  although  the  general  belief  among  author- 
ities is  that  it  is  a  disease  due  to  microorganisms,  perhaps  belonging 
to  the  bacteria.  It  is  not,  strictly  speaking,  a  contagious  disease,  like 
rinderpest  or  foot-and-mouth  disease,  for  example,  and  hence  it  does  not 
appear  in  extensive  outbreaks  like  these,  but  chiefly  in  isolated  or  con- 
secutive cases.  The  predisposing  causes  are  but  little  known,  and  vari- 
ous theories  have  been  offered  to  explain  observed  facts.  One  author 
claims  that  the  infection  may  arise  in  stables  not  kept  well  cleaned  and 
dry.  That  it  may  recur  year  after  year  on  the  same  farm  or  in  the  same 
locality  has  been  frequently  noticed  by  veterinarians  in  Europe.  Noth- 
ing positive  is  known  whether  the  conditions  of  the  soil  have  any  bear- 
ing on  this  disease,  as  they  undoubtedly  have  in  anthrax,  for  instance, 
for  it  seems  to  exist  both  in  valleys  and  in  elevated  regions.  Fortu- 
nately it  is  not  a  disease  which  spreads  to  any  great  extent,  or  which 
causes  severe  losses,  and  hence  legislative  enactments  do  not  seem  to 
be  necessary  for  its  restriction. 

Synqttoms. — Malignant  catarrh  attacks  by  preference  young  and  well- 
nourished  animals  in  the  spring  of  the  year.  According  to  authorities 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  427 

a  period  of  incubation  of  three  to  four  weeks  follows  the  infection  before 
outward  signs  of  disease  appear.  These  vary  very  markedly  from  case 
to  case,  and  observers  differ  more  or  less  in  their  accounts  of  the  disease 
as  they  have  found  it.  It  usually  begins  with  a  chill,  followed  by  high 
fever  (104°  to  107°  F).  The  head  droops,  the  skin  is  hot  and  dry,  and  the 
coat  staring.  Quivering  of  the  muscles  in  various  parts  of  the  body  is 
frequently  observed.  Marked  dullness  passing,  according  to  some 
observers,  into  an  almost  stupefied  condition  later  on,  is  quite  common. 
The  secretion  of  milk  stops  in  the  beginning  of  the  disease. 

Affections  of  the  eyes  are  characteristic  of  this  malady.  Then-  is  an 
abundant  formation  of  tears,  which  run  down  over  the  face.  The  lids 
are  swollen  and  inflamed,  and  the  animal  shuns  the  light  by  keeping 
them  closed.  This  simple  inflammation  may  be  followed  by  an  inflam- 
mation of  the  cornea,  which  may  lead  to  permanent  clouding.  Inflam- 
mation of  deeper  parts  of  the  eyes  (iris)  is  occasionally  seen. 

Inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth,  nose,  and  the 
sinuses  pf  the  head  leads  to  discharges  from  the  nose  and  mouth.  The 
mucous  membrane  of  the  nose  is  reddened,  and  may  be  covered  later  on 
with  inflammatory  deposits.  The  discharge  is  at  first  watery,  then 
thieker,  and  occasionally  streaked  with  blood  and  foul  smelling.  The 
inflammation  of  the  mouth  is  like  this  and  leads  to  much  dribbling  of 
saliva.  It  may  extend  to  the  nasal  pad  and 'to  the  nose.  Inflamma- 
tion of  the  throat,  with  deposits  of  a  croupousor  diphtheritic  character, 
lends  to  diilicult  breathing.  Various  noises  are  produced  as  the  air 
Mm  >  in  and  out,  depending  on  the  place  where  its  passage  is  partly 
obstructed  by  mucus  and  exudation.  If  the  obstruction  is  great  signs 
of  suffocation  may  appear.  According  to  some  observers  the  horns 
become  loosened  by  inflammation  and  may  be  knocked  off  easily  by  the 
,sy,  blinded  animal. 

Tlie  bowels  are  at  first  constipated;  later,  diarrhea  sets  in  and  thedis- 
cli;ii  u»s  become  soft,  offensive,  and  streaked  with  blood.  Some  authors 
men  I  ion  flic  discharge  of  exudation  in  the  form  of  membranous  patches, 
which  have  been  observed  to  be  0  to 9  feet  long.  The  kidneys  are  usu- 
ally iniiamed,  the  urine  is  passed  with  difficulty  and  pain,  and  contains 
abnormal  elements  (albumen,  casts,  etc.),  indicative  of  disease.  The 
vaginal  mucous  membrane  may  be  affected  in  a  manner  similar  to  ttiat 
of  the  mouth  and  nose,  and  occasionally  abortion  follows. 

In  connection  with  these  various  symptoms  there  may  be  much  un- 
ea-inr>s  on  the  part  of  the  animal,  leading  in  some  cases  to  madness  and 
furious  dclirum,  in  others  to  spasms  and  convulsions  or  paralysis,  llapid 
emaciation  is  quite  invariably  associated  with  the  disease  in  all  its 
grades. 

Like  other  infectious  diseases,  malignant  catarrh  pursues  a  longer  or 
slimier  course  in  accordance  with  the  severity  of  the  attack.  In  acute 
cases  death  is  said  to  take  place  from  three  to  seven  days  after  the  ap- 
pearance of  symptoms.  When  recovery  ensues  it  may  take  three  or 


428  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

four  weeks.  According  to  statistics,  from  50  to  90  per  cent  of  the 
affected  animals  die. 

If  animals  which  have  died  of  this  disease  be  examined,  there  will 
be  occasionally  found,  in  addition  to  the  changes  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  mouth  and  nasal  cavities  referred  to  above,  shallow  ulcers  iu 
these  situations.  In  severe  cases  membranous  (croupous)  deposits  are 
found  in  the  throat.  Similar  deposits  have  been  found  upon  the  mu- 
cous membrane  of  the  fourth  stomach  and  intestine,  which  is  always  in- 
flamed. There  is  more  or  less  inflammation  of  the  membranes  of  the 
brain.  In  countries  where  rinderpest  occasionally  appears  it  may  be 
difficult  to  distinguish  between  it  and  malignant  catarrh,  owing  to  a 
general  similarity  of  the  symptoms.  In  such  cases  only  a  trained  veteri- 
narian who  takes  into  consideration  all  the  different  symptoms  and 
lesions  of  both  diseases  should  decide. 

Treatment. — There  is  no  specific  treatment  for  this  affection,  and  the 
various  symptoms  may  be  dealt  with,  if  desired,  according  to  the  meth- 
ods given  in  the  first  part  of  this  volume.  Preventive  treatment,  which 
insists  on  a  removal  of  the  infected  animals  and  a  thorough  cleaning 
and  disinfection  of  infected  stables,  may  prevent  the  subsequent  appear- 
ance of  the  disease.  If  the  floors  are  low  and  damp  they  should  be 
raised  and  made  dry. 

SOUTHERN   CATTLE   FEVER   (TEXAS   FEVER). 

This  disease,  which  is  more  commonly  known  as  splenetic  or  Texas 
fever,  is  a  specific  fever  communicated  by  cattle  which  have  recently 
been  moved  northward  from  the  infected  district,  or  which  is  con- 
tracted by  cattle  taken  into  the  infected  district  from  other  parts  of 
the  world.  It  is  characterized  by  the  peculiarity  among  animal  diseases 
that  the  animals  which  disseminate  the  infection  are  apparently  in  good 
health,  while  those  which  sicken  and  die  from  it  do  not  as  a  rule  infect 
others. 

It  is  accompanied  by  high  fever,  greatly  enlarged  spleen,  destruction 
of  the  red  blood  corpuscles,  escape  of  the  coloring  matter  of  the  blood 
through  the  kidneys,  giving  the  urine  a  deep  red  color,  by  a  yellowness 
of  the  mucous  membranes  and  fat,  which  is  seen  more  especially  in  fat 
cattle,  by  a  rapid- loss  of  strength,  and  by  fatal  results  in  a  large  pro- 
portion of  cases. 

This  disease  has  various  names  in  different  sections  of  the  country 
where  it  frequently  appears.  It  is  often  called  Spanish  fever,  acclima- 
tion fever,  red- water,  black-water,  distemper,  murrain,  dry  murrain, 
yellow  murrain,  and  bloody  murrain. 

The  earliest  accounts  we  have  of  this  disease  date  back  to  1814, 
when  it  was  stated  by  Dr.  James  Mease  before  the  Philadelphia  So- 
ciety for  Promoting  Agriculture  that  the  cattle  from  a  certain  district 
in  South  Carolina  so  certainly  disease  all  others  with  which  they  mix 
in  their  progress  to  the  North,  that  they  are  prohibited  by  the  people 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.   ^  429 

of  Virginia  from  passing  through  the  State;  that  these  cattle  infect 
others  while  they  themselves  were  in  perfect  health,  and  that  cattle 
from  Europe  or  the  interior  taken  to  the  vicinity  of  the  sea  were 
attacked  by  a  disease  that  generally  proved  fatal.  Similar  observa- 
tions have  been  made  in  regard  to  a  district  in  the  southeastern  part 
of  Virginia,  the  eastern  portion  of  North  Carolina,  nearly  the  whole 
of  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Louisiana, 
the  southern  portion  of  Tennessee,  and  a  large  part  of  Arkansas, 
Indian  Territory,  and  Texas.  It  was  the  frequent  and  severe  losses 
following  the  driving  of  cattle  from  the  infected  district  in  Texas  into 
and  across  the  Western  States  and  Territories  which  led  to  the  disease 
being  denominated  Texas  fever.  It  is  now  known,  however,  that  the 
infection  is  not  peculiar  to  Texas  or  even  to  the  Gulf  coast,  but  that  it 
extends  far  inland  and  northward  almost  to  the  southern  line  of  Mary- 
land. 

When  cattle  from  other  sections  of  the  country  are  taken  into  the 
infected  district  they  contract  this  disease  usually  during  the  first  sum- 
mer, and  if  they  are  adult  animals,  particularly  milch  cows  or  fat  cattle, 
nearly  all  die.  Calves  are  much  more  likely  to  survive.  The  disease  is 
one  from  which  immunity  is  acquired,  and,  therefore,  calves  which 
recover  are  not  again  attacked,  as  a  rule,  even  after  they  become  adult. 

When  the  infection  is  disseminated  beyond  the  permanently  infected 
district,  the  roads,  pastures,  pens,  and  other  inclosures  are  dangerous 
for  susceptible  animals  until  freezing  weather.  The  infection  then  dis- 
appears, and  cattle  may  be  driven  over  the  grounds  or  kept  in  the 
im -Insures  the  succeeding  summer  and  the  disease  will  not  reappear. 
There  are  some  exceptions  to  this  rule  in  the  section  just  north  of  the 
boundary  line  of  the  infected  district.  In  this  locality  the  infection 
sometimes  resists  the  winters,  especially  when  these  are  mild.  There 
is  some  reason  for  believing  that  the  infected  district  is  gradually  extend- 
ing toward  (he  north,  but  more  careful  observations  need  to  be  made 
before  safe  conclusions  on  this  point  can  bo  adopted. 

In  regard  to  the  manner  in  which  the  disease  is  communicated,  ex- 
IMM  i< -IK •<•  shows  that  this  does  not  occur  by  animals  coming  near  or  in 
contact  with  each  other.  It  is  an  indirect  infection.  The  cattle  from 
the  infected  district  first  infect  the  pastures,  roads,  pens,  cars,  etc.,  and 
the  susceptible  cattle  obtain  the  virus  second  hand  from  these.  Usually 
animals  do  not  contract  disease  when  separated  from  infected  pastures 
by  a  fence.  If,  however,  there  is  any  drainage  or  washing  by  rains 
across  the  line  of  fence  this  rule  does  not  hold  good. 

The  investigations  made  by  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry  demon- 
strate that  the  ticks  which  adhere  to  cattle  from  the  infected  district 
are  the  chief  means  of  conveying  the  infection  to  the  l>odies  of  suscepti- 
ble cattle.  The  infection,  so  far  as  we  know,  is  not  spread  by  the 
saliva,  the  urine,  or  the  manure  of  cattle  from  the  infected  district.  In 
studying  the  causation  and  prevention  of  this  disease,  attention  must 


430  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

therefore  be  largely  given  to  the  ticks,  and  it  now  appears  probable 
that  if  the  cattle  could  be  freed  from  this  parasite  when  leaving  the 
infected  district  they  would  not  be  able  to  cause  the  malady.  The  dis- 
covery of  the  connection  of  the  ticks  with  the  production  of  the  disease 
is  so  recent  that  it  is  impossible  to  predict  at  this  time  the  influence 
which  it  may  have  in  preventing  its  spread.  It  establishes  an  essen- 
tial point,  however,  and  indicates  many  lines  of  investigation  which 
are  likely  to  yield  important  results. 

Nature  of  the  disease** — Texas  fever  is  caused  by  an  organism 
which  lives  within  the  red  blood-corpuscles  and  breaks  them  up.  It 
is  therefore  simply  a  blood  disease.  The  organism  does  not  belong  to 
the  bacteria  but  to  the  protozoa.  It  is  not,  in  other  words,  a  microscopic 
plant,  but  it  belongs  to  the  lowest  forms  of  the  animal  kingdom.  This 
very  minute  organism  multiplies  very  rapidly  in  the  body  of  the  infected 
animal,  and  in  acute  cases  causes  an  enormous  destruction  of  red  corpus- 
cles in  a  few  days.  How  it  gets  into  the  red  corpuscle  it  is  not  possible 
to  state,  but  it  appears  that  it  enters  as  an  exceedingly  minute  body, 
probably  endowed  with  motion,  and  only  after  it  has  succeeded  in  enter- 
ing the  corpuscle  does  it  begin  to  enlarge.  Concerning  the  more  detailed 
description  of  this  micro-organism  we  must  refer  the  reader  to  the 
forthcoming  special  report  on  Texas  fever.  We  shall  simply  delay  in 
this  place  to  describe  its  main  characters.  Plate  XLIII,  Fig.  4,  illustrates 
an  early  stage  of  this  blood  parasite.  The  red  corpuscle  contains  a 
very  minute  roundish  body  which  is  stained  blue  to  bring  it  into  view. 
The  body  is  as  a  rule  situated  near  the  edge  of  the  corpuscle.  Fig.  5 
illustrates  an  older  stage  in  the  growth  of  the  parasite,  in  fact  the 
largest  which  has  thus  far  been  detected.  It  will  be  noticed  that  there 
are  usually  two  bodies  in  a  corpuscle.  These  bodies  are  in  general 
pear  shaped.  The  narrow  ends  are  always  toward  each  other  when  two 
are  present  in  the  same  corpuscle.  If  we  bear  in  mind  that  the  average 
diameter  of  the  red  blood  corpuscles  of  cattle  is  from.  -4-oVo  to  -^Vo  inch, 
the  size  of  the  contained  parasite  may  be  at  once  appreciated  by  a 
glance  at  the  figures  referred  to. 

The  various  disease  processes  which  go  on  in  Texas  fever,  and  which 
we  may  observe  by  examining  the  organs  after  death,  all  result  from 
the  destruction  of  the  red  corpuscles.  This  destruction  may  be  ex- 
tremely rapid  or  slow.  When  it  is  rapid  we  have  the  acute,  usually 
fatal,  type  of  Texas  fever  which  is  always  witnessed  in  the  height  of  the 
Texas-lever  season;  that  is,  during  the  latter  weeks  of  August  and  the 
early  weeks  of  September.  When  the  destruction  of  corpuscles  is 
slower  a  mild,  usually  non-fatal,  type  of  the  disease  is  called  forth  which 
is  only  witnessed  late  in  autumn  or  more  rarely  in  July  and  the  early 
part  of  August.  Cases  of  the  mild  type  occurring  thus  early  usually 
become  acute  later  on  and  terminate  fatally. 

*  The  investigations  from  which  the  facts  in  the  remainder  of  this  article  are  taken 
will  be  published  in  full  in  a  forthcoming  report  of  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry 
byDrs,  Theobald  Smith  and  F.  L.  Kilborne. 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  431 

The  acute  disease  is  fatal  in  most  cases,  and  the  fatality  is  due  not  so 
much  to  the  loss  of  blood  corpuscles  as  to  the  difficulty  which  the  or- 
gans have  in  getting  rid  of  the  waste  products  arising  from  this  whole- 
sale destruction.  How  great  this  may  be  a  simple  calculation  will 
serve  to  illustrate.  If  we  take  a  steer  weighing  1,000  pounds,  the  blood 
in  its  body  will  amount  to  about  50  pounds,  if  we  assume  that  the  blood 
represents  one-twentieth  of  the  weight  of  the  body,  a  rather  low  esti- 
mate. According  to  experimental  determination  at  the  Bureau  Station, 
which  consists  in  counting  the  number  of  blood  corpuscles  in  a  given 
quantity  of  blood  from  day  to  day  in  such  an  animal,  the  corpuscles  con- 
tained in  from  5  to  10  pounds  of  blood  may  be  destroyed  within  twenty- 
four  hours.  The  remains  of  these  corpuscles  and  the  coloring  matter 
in  them  must  either  be  converted  into  bile  or  excreted  unchanged.  The 
it-suit  of  this  effort  on  the  part  of  the  liver  causes  extensive  disease 
of  this  organ.  The  bile  secreted  by  the  liver  cells  contains  so  much 
solid  material  that  it  stagnates  in  the  finest  bile  canals  and  chokes  these 
up  completely.  This  in  turn  interferes  with  the  nutrition  of  the  liver 
cells  and  they  undergo  fatty  degeneration  and  perish.  The  functions 
of  the  liver  are  thereby  completely  suspended  and  death  is  the  result. 
This  enormous  destruction  of  corpuscles  takes  place  to  a  large  extent 
in  the  kidneys,  where  a  great  number  of  corpuscles  containing  thepara- 
>ite>  arc  always  found  in  acute  cases.  This  accounts  largely  for  the 
blood-colored  urine  or  red  water  which  is  such  a  characteristic  feature 
of  Texas  fever.  The  corpuscles  themselves  are  not  found  in  the  urine; 
it  is  the  red  coloring  matter  or  hemoglobin  which  leaves  them  when  they 
break  np  and  passes  into  the  urine. 

Xymptom*. — After  a  period  of  exposure  to  infected  soil,  which  may 
vary  from  thirteen  to  ninety  days,  and  which  will  be  more  fully  dis- 
•  1  im-t her  on,  under  the  subject  of  cattle  ticks  as  bearers  of  the 
ver  parasite,  the  disease  first  shows  itself  in  dullness,  loss  of 
appetite,  and  a  tendency  to  leave  the  herd  and  stand  or  lie  down  alone. 
A  few  days  before  these  symptoms  appear  the  presence  of  r,  high  fever 
may  be  detected  by  the  clinical  thermometer.  The  temperature  i 
from  a  normal  of  101Q-103O  F.  to  10<P  and  107°  F.  There  seems  to  be 
little  or  no  change  in  temperature  until  recovery  or  deatli  ensues.  The 
period  of  high  temperature  or  fever  varies  considerably.  As  it  indi- 
cates the  intensity  of  the  disease  process  going  on  within,  the  higher  it 
is  t  lie  more  rapid  the  fatal  end.  When  it  does  not  rise  above  104°  F.  the 
disease  is  milder  and  more  prolonged. 

The  bowels  are  mostly  constipated  during  the  fever;  towards  the  end 
the  tcces  may  become  softer  and  rather  deeply  tinged  with  bile.  The 
mine  shows  nothing  abnormal  during  the  course  of  the  disease  until 
near  the  fatal  termination,  when  it  may  be  deeply  stained  with  the'col- 
oring  matter  of  the  blood.  (Hemoglobinuria;  see  Plate  XLIII,  Fig.  3.) 
Although  this  symptom  is  occasionally  observed  in  animals  which 
reeo\er.  yet  it  may  generally  be  regarded  as  an  indication  of  approach- 


432  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ing  death.  The  pulse  and  respiration  are  usually  much  more  rapid 
than  during  health. 

Other  symptoms  in  addition  to  those  mentioned  have  been  described 
by  observers,  but  they  do  not  seem  to  be  constant,  and  only  the  above 
are  nearly  always  present.  As  the  end  approaches  emaciation  becomes 
very  marked,  the  blood  is  very  thin  and  watery,  and  the  closing  of  any 
wound  of  the  skin  by  clots  is  retarded.  The  animal  manifests  increas- 
ing stupor  and  may  lie  down  much  of  the  time.  Signs  of  delirium  have 
been  observed  in  some  cases.  Death  occurs  most  frequently  in  the 
night. 

The  course  of  the  disease  is  very  variable  in  duration.  Death  may 
ensue  in  from  three  days  to  several  weeks  after  the  beginning  of  the 
fever.  Those  that  recover  ultimately  do  so  very  slowly,  owing  to  the 
great  poverty  of  the  blood  in  red  corpuscles.  The  flesh  is  regained  but 
very  gradually,  and  the  animal  may  be  subjected  to  a  second  though 
mild  attack  later  on  in  the  autumn,  which  pushes  the  full  recovery  on- 
ward to  the  beginning  of  winter. 

In  the  mild  type  of  the  disease,  which  occurs  in  October  and  Novem- 
ber, symptoms  of  disease  are  well  nigh  absent.  There  is  little  if  any 
fever,  and  if  it  were  not  for  loss  of  flesh  and  more  or  less  dullness  the 
disease  might  pass  unnoticed,  as  it  undoubtedly  does  in  a  majority  of 
cases.  If,  however,  the  blood  corpuscles  be  counted  from  time  to  time 
a  gradually  diminishing  number  will  be  found,  and  after  several  weeks 
only  about  one-fifth  or  one-sixth  of  the  normal  number  are  present.  It 
is,  indeed,  surprising  how  little  impression  upon  the  animal  this  very 
impoverished  condition  of  the  blood  appears  to  make.  It  is  probable, 
however,  that  if  two  animals  kept  under  the  same  conditions,  one  healthy 
and  the  other  at  the  end  of  one  of  these  mild  attacks,  be  weighed,  the 
difference  would  be  plainly  shown. 

Pathological  changes  observable  after  death. — In  the  preceding  pages 
some  of  these  have  already  been  referred  to  in  describing  the  nature 
of  the  disease.  It  is  very  important  at  times  to  determine  whether  a 
certain  disease  is  Texas  fever  or  some  other  disease,  like  anthrax,  for 
example.  This  fact  can,  as  a  rule,  be  determined  at  once  by  a  thorough 
microscopic  examination  of  the  blood.  The  necessary  apparatus  and 
the  requisite  qualifications  for  this  task  leave  this  method  entirely  in 
the  hands  of  experts.  There  is,  however,  a  considerable  number  of 
changes  caused  by  this  disease,  which  may  be  detected  by  the  naked 
eye  when  the  body  has  been  opened.  These,  put  together,  make  a  mis- 
take quite  impossible.  The  presence  of  small  ticks  on  the  skin  of  the 
escutcheon,  the  thighs,  and  the  udder  is  a  very  important  sign  in  herds 
north  of  the  Texas  fever -line,  as  it  indicates  that  they  have  been  brought 
in  some  manner  from  the  South  and  carried  the  disease  with  them,  as 
will  be  explained  later.  Another  very  important  sign  is  the  thin,  watery 
condition  of  the  blood,  either  just  before  death  or  when  the  fever  has 
been  present  for  four  or  five  days.  A  little  incision  into  the  skin  will 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  43  & 

enable  anyone  to  determine  this  point.     Frequently  the  skin  is  so  poor 
in  blood  that  it  may  require  several  incisions  to  draw  a  drop  or  more. 

The  changes  in  the  internal  organs,  as  found  on  post-mortem  exami- 
nations, are  briefly  as  follows:  The  spleen  or  inilt  is  much  larger  than 
in  healthy  animals.  It  may  weigh  three  or  four  times  as  much.  When 
it  is  incised  the  contents  or  pulp  is  blackish  (see  Plate  XLII,  Fig.  1),  and 
may  even  well  out  as  a  disintegrated  mass.  The  markings  of  the 
healthy  spleen  (Fig.  2)  are  all  effaced  by  the  enormous  number  of  blood 
corpuscles  which  have  collected  in  the  spleen  and  to  which  the  enlarge- 
ment is  due.  Next  to  the  spleen  the  liver  will  arouse  our  attention. 
(See  Plate  XLIII,  Fig.  2.)  It  is  larger  than  in  the  healthy  state,  has  lost 
its  natural  brownish  color  (Fig.  1),  and  now  has  on  the  surface  a  paler 
yellowish  hue.  When  it  is  incised  this  yellowish  tinge  or  mahogany 
color,  as  it  has  been  called  by  some,  is  still  moro  prominent.  This  is 
due  to  the  large  amount  of  bile  in  the  finest  bile  capillaries,  and  as 
these  are  not  uniformly  filled  with  it  the  cut  surface  has  a  mere  or  less 
mottled  appearance.  This  bile  injection  causes  in  many  cases  a  fatty 
degeneration  of  the  liver  cells,  which  makes  the  organ  appear  still 
lighter  in  color. 

In  all  cases  the  gall  bladder  should  be  examined.  This  is  distended 
with  bile,  which  holds  in  suspension  a  large  quantity  of  yellow  flakes, 
so  that  when  it  is  poured  into  a  tall  bottle  to  settle  fully  one-half  or  more 
of  the  column  of  fluid  will  be  occupied  by  a  layer  of  flakes.  If  mucus 
is  present  at  the  same  time  the  bile  may  become  so  viscid  that  when  it 
is  poured  from  one  glass  to  another  it  forms  long  bauds.  The  bile  in 
health  is  a  limpid  fluid  containing  no  solid  particles. 

If  the  animal  has  not  been  observed  during  life  to  pass  urine  colored 
witli  blood  or  red  water,  the  bladder  should  be  opened.  This  quite 
invariably,  in  acute  cases,  contains  urine  which  varies  in  color  from  a 
deep  port  wine  to  a  light  claret.  In  many  cases  the  color  is  so  dense 
that  light  will  not  pass  through  even  a  thin  layer.  (Plate  XLIII,  Fig.  3.) 
The  kidneys  are  always  found  congested  in  the  acute  attack.  The  dis- 
ease exerts  but  little  effect  on  the  stomach  and  intestines  beyond  more 
or  less  reddening  of  the  mucous  membrane.  Hence  an  examination  of 
these  may  be  safely  omitted.  The  lungs  are,  as  a  rule,  not  diseased. 
The  heart  usually  shows  patches  of  blood  extravasation  on  the  inside 
(left  ventricle),  and  less  markedly  on  the  outer  surface. 

We  have  observed  jaundice  of  the  various  tissues  but  very  rarely. 
It  has  been  observed  by  some  quite  regularly,  however. 

The  cattle  tick,  Ixode*  borix  (Riley)  Boophilu*  borix  (Curtice),  a*  the 
carrier  of  Texan  fever.  (Plato  XLIV.) — The  cattle  tick  is,  as  its  name 
indicates,  a  parasite  of  cattle  in  the  southern  part  of  the  United  States. 
It  belongs  to  the  group  of  Artliropoda  and  to  the,  genus  Ij-odcs  (Boo- 
philit*),  which  is  included  in  the  order  Acarina.  Its  life  history  is  quite 
simple  and  easily  traced  from  one  generation  to  another.  It  is  essen- 
tially a  parasite,  attaching  itself  to  the  skin  suul  drawing  the  blood  of 
24097 28 


434  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

its  host.  It  is  unable  to  come  to  maturity  and  reproduce  its  kind 
unless  it  becomes  attached  to  the  skin  of  cattle,  whence  it  may  obtain 
its  food. 

The  eggs  laid  on  the  ground  after  the  female  has  dropped  from  the 
host  begin  to  develop  at  once.  When  the  embryo  is  fully  formed  within 
the  shell  it  ruptures  this  and  gains  its  freedom.  The  time  required 
from  the  laving  of  the  eggs  to  their  hatching  varies  considerably 
according  to  the  temperature.  In  the  laboratory  in  the  heat  of  mid- 
summer this  was  accomplished  in  about  thirteen  days.  In  the  late  fall 
under  the  same  conditions,  it  required  from  four  to  six  weeks.  The 
larva  after  emerging  from  the  egg  is  very  minute,  six-legged,  and  just 
visible  to  the  naked  eye.  (Plate  XLIV,  Fig.  3.)  If  these  larvae  be  kept  on 
a  layer  of  moist  sand  or  earth  in  a  covered  dish  they  may  remain  alive 
for  mouths,  but  there  is  no  appreciable  increase  in  size.  As  soon,  how- 
ever, as  they  are  placed  upon  cattle  growth  begins. 

On  pastures  these  little  creatures  soon  iind  their  way  upon  cattle. 
They  attach  themselves  by  preference  to  the  tender  skin  on  the  escutch- 
eon, the  inside  of  the  thighs,  and  on  the  base  of  the  udder.  Yet  when 
they  are  very  numerous  they  may  be  found,  in  small  numbers,  on  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  body,  such  as  the  neck,  the  chest,  and  the  ears. 

The  changes  which  they  undergo  during  their  parasitic  existence 
were  first  studied  by  Dr.  Cooper  Curtice  in  1889.  The  young  tick 
within  a  week  molts  and  the  second  or  nymphal  stage  of  the  parasite's 
life  is  thus  ushered  in.  After  this  change  it  has  four  pairs  of  legs. 
Within  another  week  another  molt  takes  place  by  which  the  tick  passes 
from  the  nymphal  to  the  sexual  or  adult  stage.  Impregnation  now 
takes  place,  and  with  the  development  of  the  ova  in  the  body  the  ani- 
mal takes  an  increased  quantity  of  blood,  so  that  it  becomes  very  much 
larger  in  a  Few  days.  That  the  rapid  growth  is  due  to  the  blood  taken 
in  may  be  easily  proved  by  crushing  one.  The  intestine  is  distended 
with  a  thick  tarry  mass  composed  of  partly  digested  blood.  When  the 
female  has  reached  a  certain  stage  of  maturity  it  drops  to  the  ground 
and  begins  to  lay  a  large  number  of  eggs,  which  hatch  in  the  time  given 
aboA7e. 

The  life  of  the  cattle  tick  is  thus  spent  largely  on  cattle,  and  although 
the  young  or  larva?  may  live  for  a  long  time  on  the  ground  in  the  sum- 
mer season  they  can  not  mature  excepting  as  parasites  on  cattle.  We 
have  purposely  omitted  various  details  of  the  life  history,  including  that 
of  the  male,  as  they  are  not  necessary  to  an  understanding  of  our  pres- 
ent subject — Texas  fever.  How  this  is  transmitted  we  will  proceed  to 
consider. 

Southern  cattle  sent  north  during  the  spring  and  summer  months 
carry  on  their  bodies  large  numbers  of  the  cattle  tick.  These  when 
matured  drop  off  and  lay  their  eggs  on  northern  pastures.  These  hatch, 
and  the  young  tick  soon  gets  upon  any  northern  cattle  which  happen 
to  be  on  the  pasture.  As  soon  as  they  have  attached  themselves  to  the 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  435 

skin  they  inoculate  tlie  cattle  and  Texas  fever  breaks  out  a  week  or 
more  thereafter.  That  ticks  may  and  do  produce  Texas  fever  had  been 
suspected  for  many  years  in  various  parts  of  the  country.  A  definite 
proof  was  not  offered,  however,  and  the  experiments  carried  on  by  the 
Bureau  of  Animal  Industry  were  the  first  to  demonstrate  this  impor- 
tant fact.  It  is  not  within  the  seope  of  this  work  to  describe  the  steps 
by  which  this  conclusion  was  reached,  nor  the  experiments  made  in 
this  direction.  These  will  be  found  in  the  forthcoming  report.  There 
are  some  important  facts  in  the  disease  itself  cleared  up  by  these 
experiments  which  require  mention  here. 

The  so-called  period  of  incubation. — After  the  young  ticks  have 
attached  themselves  to  cattle  the  fever  appears  about  ten  days  there- 
after iu  midsummer.  When  the  weather  is  cool,  as  in  autumn,  this 
period  may  be  a  little  longer.  The  actual  period  of  incubation  may  be 
shorter  than  this,  for  if  blood  from  a  case  of  Texas  fever  be  injected  into 
the  blood-vessels  of  healthy  cattle  the  fever  may  appear  within  five  days. 
When  cattle  graze  upon  pastures  over  which  Southern  cattle  have 
{>;i-.-ed,  the  time  when  the  disease  appears  varies  within  wide  limits. 
When  the  animals  have  been  put  upon  pastures  immediately  after 
Southern  cattle  have  infected  them  with  ticks,  it  may  take  from  thirty 
to  sixty  days,  or  even  longer,  before  the  disease  appears.  This  will  be 
readily  understood  when  we  recall  the  life  history  of  ticks.  The  South- 
ern cattle  leave  only  matured  ticks  which  have  dropped  from  them. 
These  must  lay  their  eggs  and  the  latter  be  hatched  before  any  ticks 
can  get  upon  native  cattle.  The  shortest  period  is  thus  not  less  than 
thirty  days,  if  we  include  ten  days  for  the  period  of  incubation  after 
the  young  tick  has  attached  itself  to  native  cattle.  When  the  infec- 
tion of  pastures  with  ticks  has  taken  place  early  in  the  season,  or  when 
this  is  coldj  the  period  will  be  much  longer  because  it  taTtes  longer  for 
the  eggs  to  hatch. 

If  native  cattle  are  placed  upon  pastures  which  have  been  infected 
.some  time  before  with  ticks,  the  disease  will  appear  so  much  sooner 
because  the  young  ticks  may  be  already  hatched  and  attack  the  cattle 
at  ouee.  It  will  be  evident,  theretore,  that  the  length  of  time  elapsing 
bet  ween  the  <ujpoli«it  of  native  cattle  on  infected  fields  and  the  appear- 
ance of  the  disease  will  depend  on  the  date  of  original  infection  and  on 
the  weather,  whether  cold  or  hot.  When  native  cat  tie  are  placed  upon 
fields  on  which  young  ticks  are  already  present  they  will  show  the  lever 
iu  thirteen  to  fifteen  days  if  the  season  be  hot. 

The  fever  appears  before  the  ticks  have  matured.  In  fact  they  are 
still  small  enough  to  be  overlooked.  In  any  case  very  careful  search 
should  be  made  for  them  in  those  places  upon  which  they  prefer  to 
locate,  the  thighs,  escutcheon,  and  udder.  After  the  acnte  stage  of  the 
fever  has  passed  by  the  ticks  begin  to  swell  np  and  show  very  plainly. 
(Plate  xi.iv.  Figs.  6  ami  7.) 

Preretttion. — So  far  as  our  experiments  have  gone  they  indicate  that 


436  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Texas  fever  is  carried  north  only  by  the  cattle  tick.  That  there  may  be 
other  sources  of  infection  can  not  be  denied,  but  if  there  be  such  they 
come  into  operation  rarely  and  perhaps  in  very  restricted  localities. 
Hence,  to  prevent  Texas  fever  north  of  the  permanently  infected  area 
is  to  keep  the  pastures  free  from  cattle  ticks,  and  to  do  this  no  Southern 
cattle  with  ticks  must  be  allowed  upon  them.  Ticks  may,  however, 
reach  pastures  in  other  ways.  Cattle  cars  from  the  South  may  leave 
the  sweepings  and  manure  in  places  where  cattle  may  get  access  to 
them.  These  will  contain  ticks  or  eggs  which  will  give  rise  to  a  brood 
of  young  ticks  in  due  time,  ready  to  inoculate  cattle  when  the  opportu- 
nity presents. 

How  to  rid  pastures  of  ticks  without  destroying  the  vegetation  upon 
it  we  do  not  know  at  present.  Every  pasture  once  infected  is  dangerous 
during  the  entire  season.  Fortunately  the  winter  destroys  the  tick  and 
afresh  importation  from  the  South  is  necessary  to  produce  the  disease 
again  during  the  following  season.  This  is  not  strictly  true  for  sheltered 
places  near  the  Texas-fever  line,  for  they  may  live  through  very  mild 
winters  in  such  places  and  produce  disease  the  following  summer.  The 
precise  temperature  at  which  the  egg  or  the  various  stages  of  the  cat- 
tle tick  are  destroyed  can  not  be  accurately  ascertained,  because  it 
depends  on  the  amount  of  protection  and  shelter  which  they  may  obtain. 
It  is  therefore  impossible  to  state  how  late  in  the  winter  ticks  carried 
from  the  South  are  still  likely  to  perish  in  the  North  before  the  ensuing 
spring.  We  know  that  cold  greatly  retards  the  development  of  ticks 
in  the  egg  and  afterwards,  and  that  any  fatal  disease  in  cold  weather  is 
not  likely  to  occur,  but  if  the  ticks  should  survive  until  summer  the 
danger  of  an  outbreak  is  imminent.  This  danger  diminishes,  of  course, 
the  farther  north  we  go  and  the  period  of  time  during  which  ticks  may 
be  carried  thither  with  impunity  is  greater,  owing  to  the  longer  season 
of  cold. 

Treatment. — When  the  disease  has  broken  out,  all  animals,  the  sick 
as  well  as  the  healthy,  should  at  once  be  removed  to  another  non- 
infected  pasture.  While  this  may  not  cut  short  the  disease,  it  may 
save  the  lives  of  some  by  removing  them  from  the  possibility  of  being 
attacked  by  more  young  ticks.  Removal  from  infected  pastures  like- 
wise prevents  a  second  later  attack  in  October  or  early  in  November, 
which  is  caused  by  another  generation  of  ticks.  It  is  true  that  sick 
natives  infect  with  a  new  generation  of  ticks  the  pasture  to  which  they 
are  removed,  but  these  usually  appear  so  late  that  they  have  but  little 
opportunity  to  do  any  damage.  Hence,  sick  natives  do  not,  as  a  rule, 
cause  visible  disease  in  other  natives. 

It  is  of  importance  to  remove  all  ticks,  as  far  as  this  is  possible,  from 
sick  animals,  since  they  abstract  a  considerable  amount  of  blood  and 
thereby  retard  the  final  recovery.  No  systematic  experiments  have  as 
yet  been  made  in  the  medicinal  treatment  of  the  sick,  as  the  study  of 
the  cause  of  the  disease  has  taken  all  the  time  that  could  be  given  to 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  437 

these  investigations  in  past  years.  Sulphate  of  quinia,  in  doses  of  15 
to  30  grains,  according  to  the  size  of  the  animal,  has  apparently  given 
good  results  in  the  hands  of  some  veterinarians,  and  tincture  of  aconite 
root  and  Epsom  salts  have  been  combined  with  it  according  to  indica- 
tions of  the  individual  cases. 

The  previous  pages  have  reference  only  to  northern  pastures.  Whether 
the  tick  alone,  or  perhaps  other  pests  also  infect  cattle  which  have  been 
taken  south,  \ve  are  unable  to  state  without  having  recourse  to  experi- 
mental inquiries.  It  is  reasonable  to  assume,  however,  that  the  same 
causes  are  operative  in  the  permanently  infected  area,  and  that  ticks 
must  be  kept  away  from  imported  animals,  especially  during  the  warmer 
half  of  the  year  if  disease  is  to  be  prevented. 

Of  the  means  by  which  ticks  may  be  most  easily  and  effectually 
removed  from  cattle  or  kept  away  from  those  not  yet  attacked,  noth- 
ing definite  can  be  said  at  present,  and  there  is  abundant  room  for 
experimentation  in  this  direction,  especially  within  the  area  perma- 
nently infested  with  the  cattle  tick. 

Sanitary  regulations. — The  disease,  outside  of  the  infected  district, 
may  be  prevented  by  proper  regulations  governing  the  movement  of 
cattle  from  that  district  during  the  season  of  the  year  that  infection  is 
possible.  Such  regulations  are  now  made  yearly  by  the  Secretary  of 
Agriculture.  They  define  the  boundary  of  the  infected  district,  and 
provide  that  no  cattle  shall  go  out  of  it  except  for  immediate  slaugh- 
ter during  that  portion  of  the  year  included  between  the  dates  of  Feb- 
ruary 15  and  December  1.  Cattle  from  the  district  going  to  slaughter 
can  not  be  driven,  but  must  be  shipped  by  rail  or  boat.  The  waybills 
and  cars  are  marked  "  Southern  cattle  "  when  they  cross  the  boundary 
line,  and  when  they  are  unloaded  for  feeding,  watering,  or  sale  they 
are  placed  in  pens  set  apart  for  such  animals  and  into  which  native 
stock  is  not  allowed  to  go.  The  cars  and  boats  which  have  trans- 
I>orted  such  cattle  must  be  cleaned  and  disinfected  before  native  stock 
can  be  carried. 

By  these  simple  regulations  the  disease  has  been  almost  entirely  pre- 
vented during  the  last  two  years,  and  little  or  no  hardship  has  been 
caused  to  those  shipping  «r  handling  cattle  from  the  infected  district. 
This  success  is  one  of  the  best  illustrations  of  the  value  of  proper  reg- 
ulations made  in  accordance  with  the  principles  of  veterinary  science 
and  intelligently  administered. 


438  Dl^EAbES    OF    CATTLE 


TEXAS   FEVER. 

[Description  of  plates.] 

PLATE  XLII.  Fig.  1.  Spleen  of  an  acute  fatal  case  of  Texas  fever.  The  narrow 
end  of  the  spleon  is  here  represented.  Fig.  2.  Spleen  of  healthy  steer.  Though  the 
latter  animal  weighed  one-half  more  than  the  former,  the  weight  of  the  diseased 
spleen,  6|  pounds,  was  nearly  three  times  that  of  the  healthy  spleen,  2|  pounds. 

PLATE  XLJII.  Showing  the  cut  surface  of  a  healthy  liver  taken  from  a  steer 
slaughtered  for  beef.  Fig.  2.  Showing  the  cut  surface  of  the  liver  in  Texas  fever. 
Fig.  3.  Represents  the  appearance  of  the  urine  in  an  acute  fatal  case  of  Texas  fever. 
Fig.  4.  Shows  red  corpuscles,  magnified  a  thousand  diameters,  containing  the  par- 
asite of  Texas  fever.  This  appears  as  a  blue  point,  a,  near  the  edge  of  the  corpuscle. 
The  blood  was  taken  from  a  skin  incision.  The  case  was  non-fatal  and  occurred  late 
in  fall.  Fig.  5.  Shows  red  corpuscles  from  the  blood  of  an  acute  fatal  case,  tweuty 
hours  before  death.  The  Texas  fever  microbes,  «,  are  shown  as  pear-shaped  bodies 
stained  with  methylene  blue  within  the  red  corpuscles.  The  larger  body  on  the 
right,  &,  is  a  white  blood  corpuscle  also  stained  with  methylene  blue.  Magnified 
a  thousand  diameters. 

PLATE  XLIV.  The  cattle  tick,  the  carrier  of  Texas  fever.  Fig.  1.  A  series  of  ticks, 
natural  size,  from  the  smallest,  just  hatched  from  the  egg,  to  the  mature  female  ready 
to  drop  off  and  lay  eggs.  Fig.  2.  Eggs,  magnified  5  times.  Fig.  3.  The  young  tick 
just  hatched,  magnified  40  times.  Fig.  4.  The  male  after  the  last  molt,  magnified 
10  times.  Fig.  5.  The  female  after  the  last  molt,  magnified  10  times.  Fig.  6=  A  por- 
tion of  the  skin  of  the  udder,  showing  the  small  ticks.  From  a  fatal  case  of  Texas 
fever  produced  by  placing  young  ticks  on  the  animal.  Natural  size.  Fig.  7.  A  por- 
tion of  the  ear  of  the  same  animal  showing  same  full-grown  ticks,  ready  to  drop  off. 
Natural  size. 


Pl.ATK  XL1II 
Fig.  3 


- 


n:\.\s 


IM.ATK  XI, IV 


Kip.  1 

»     9    J    3    0     :'J 


Pig.  3 


% 


Kip.  7 


•nil'!  c.vr'ri.H:  TICK     rm:  <  .\!.'I.'II-:K   (>i     n-:\.\s  i  i ATI.' 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE. 


By  W.  A.  HENRY, 

Professor  of  Agriculture  and  Director  of  the  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  University 

of  Wisconsin. 


Ten  years  ago  the  cattle  business  of  the  country  was  undergoing  a 
great  and  wonderful  change;  companies  were  being  formed  to  control 
vast  herds  which  were  to  range  unrestrained  over  the  western  plains, 
with  no  provisions  as  to  feed  except  the  seeming  abundance  of  natural 
grasses,  and  little  care  except  rounding  up  and  branding.  With  this 
unprecedented  expansion  came  the  natural  attendant  of  good  prices 
for  cattle  of  almost  any  quality  in  the  older  agricultural  sections,  and 
beef- producers  everywhere  made  money.  It  mattered  little  in  Illinois 
or  Iowa  whether  a  fattening  steer  ate  half  a  bushel  of  corn  a  day  or 
only  a  third  of  a  bushel,  for  there  was  proftt  in  the  business,  and  giv- 
ing attention  to  little  details  about  feeding  was  not  to  be  thought  of  in 
such  times.  Those  fanners  who  had  advanced  in  dairying  far  enough 
to  make  line  goods  likewise  found  high  prices  awaiting  their  products 
and  were  satisfied  to  continue  their  feeding  operations  with  little 
thought  of  closer  economy. 

But  times  have  changed;  the  young  stock  bought  from  our  western 
farms  at  good  prices  to  go  to  the  plains  proved  fruitful  and  multiplied 
amazingly,  and  hordes  of  their  descendants  have  been  coming  back 
year  after  year  to  aid  in  depressing  t  lie  cattle  market.  Dairy  products 
have  kept  up  wonderfully  well,  but  I  do  not  think  we  can  hope  for  higher 
prices  at  any  time  than  have  ruled  the  past  year. 

We  are  passing  through  a  period  of  lulling  prices  which  began  years 
ago  with  the  manufacturer,  carrier,  and  merchant,  and  which  is  now 
bearing  down  most  heavily  upon  our  agricultural  industries.  The  mar- 
velous advancement  made  in  transportation  facilities  the  world  over 
has  brought  about  a  new  let  of  conditions;  stock,  bred  thousands  of 
miles  apart  and  reared  under  the  most  diverse  conditions  of  range,  cli- 
mate, feed,  and  cost  of  production,  meet  at  the  great  commercial  cen- 
ters, to  be  sold  according  to  supply  and  demand,  quality  alone  being 
the  varying  factor.  The  problem  is  still  further  complicated  by  the 
production  of  meat  in  distant  parts  of  the  world,  which  is  now  shipped 
as  frozen  carcasses  to  the  great  meat  consuming  centers.  Nor  is  there 
any  going  backward  in  this  matter.  We  can  not  hope  that  any  of  the 

* 


440  BISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

potent  forces  now  at  work,  which  all  tend  to  equalizing  the  markets, 
will  cease  for  even  a  single  day.  While  legislation  may  aid  in  some 
minor  matters,  the  general  law  that  supply  and  demand  rule  prices 
remains  inviolable.  I  know  of  but  two  means  of  successfully  meeting 
the  sharp  competition  which  is  certain  to  continue,  first,  by  making 
products  of  a  higher  quality,  and,  second,  by  cheapening  the  cost  of 
production. 

While  lack  of  space  prevents  more  than  a  mere  mention  of  the  sub- 
ject, I  can  not  help  but  urge  that  our  farmers  and  stockmen  endeavor 
to  secure  the  very  best  machines  possible  for  converting  coarse  feeds 
into  beef  and  dairy  products.  To  have  any  other  than  the  best  cattle 
obtainable  for  the  specific  purpose  in  view  is  to  start  handicapped  in 
what  is  sure  to  be  a  severe  contest. 

In  the  other  line  of  improvement  there  is  also  much  opportunity  for 
careful  study  and  the  exercise  of  discretion  and  good  judgment.  The 
farmer  and  stockman  should  have  a  clear  knowledge  and  good  under- 
standing of  the  several  different  kinds  of  stock  foods,  their  relative 
values,  and  the  combinations  of  those  best  suited  for  different  animals 
in  different  stages  of  growth  and  usefulness.  With  an  earnest  desire 
to  help  the  feeder  in  the  study  of  the  great  problem  which  constantly 
confronts  him  this  chapter  is  written. 

SCIENCE   AND   STOCK-FEEDING. 

Fifty  years  ago  those  great  lights  in  agricultural  chemistry,  Liebig, 
of  Germany,  Boussingault,  of  France,  and  Lawes  and  Gilbert,  of  Eng- 
land, began  investigations  of  agricultural  problems,  many  of  which 
were  immediately  helpful  to  agriculture  and  all  tended  to  awaken  an 
interest  in  an  art  previously  neglected  by  scientific  investigators.  Out 
of  this  awakening  grew  the  movement  for  a  better  knowledge  of  animal 
nutrition,  and  how  and  by  what  means  the  products  of  our  fields  were 
manufactured  into  flesh,  milk,  and  other  animal  products.  Germany 
has  led  the  world  in  founding  agricultural-experiment  stations,  and  to 
German  chemists  and  animal  physiologists  are  we  largely  indebted  for 
what  is  known  in  this  most  important  field.  Though  the  investigations 
began  over  a  generation  ago  and  have  occupied  the  energies  of  many 
eminent  men,  the  records  of  whose  observations  fill  hundreds  of  books, 
so  great  is  the  subject  that  it  now  seems  but  fairly  begun.  Still,  much 
has  been  found  that  is  of  great  importance  and  utility  to  the  practical 
stockman. 

THE  GERMAN  FEEDING  TABLES. 

Mainly  through  the  studies  of  the  German  investigators  has  come 
the  first  attempt  to  place  the  great  art  of  feeding  on  a  scientific  basis. 
The  various  investigations  in  animal  nutrition  have  been  summarized 
and  set  forth  in  the  writings  of  Wolff  and  Kuehn,  of  Germany,  and  very 
ably  presented  to  English  readers  by  Dr.  Armsby  in  his  "  Manual  of 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE.      441 

Cattle  Feeding."  The  leading  features  of  this  system  have  also  been 
given  in  some  of  the  reports  of  our  American  experiment  stations. 
Being  largely  the  result  of  German  investigations  and  formulations,  it 
is  naturally  spoken  of  as  the  "German  system,"  while  the  tables  of 
data  relative  to  feeding  stuffs  and  feeding  rations  are  usually  spoken 
of  as  the  German  feeding  tables  or  the  tables  of  Kuehn  or  Wolff,  as 
compiled  and  arranged  by  those  writers. 

Table  I  of  this  chapter  presents  the  studies  of  chemists  both  in  this 
country  and  abroad,  summarized  and  placed  in  the  most  available  con- 
densed form.  The  figures  giving  the  composition  of  fodders  are  in  most 
cases  taken  from  the  compilation  of  analyses  of  American  fodders  by 
Dr.  E.  H.  Jenkins  and  A.  L.  Winton,  jr.,  first  published  in  Volume  II 
of  the  Experiment  Station  Record,  Department  of  Agriculture  (pp. 
702-709).  That  portion  of  the  table  which  gives  the  digestible  constit- 
uents was  derived  from  the  first  part  of  the  table  through  coefficients 
of  digestibility  given  by  Dr.  Jenkins  in  the  Report  of  the  Connecticut 
Experiment  Station  for  1886  or  from  later  sources. 

There  was  a  time  when  farmers  thought  that  science,  and  even  agri- 
cultural science,  could  bring  little  that  would  be  helpful  to  them,  but 
happily  that  day  is  past,  and  I  approach  the  scientific  side  of  the  sub- 
ject of  feeding  with  no  fear  whatever  that  it  will  prove  uninteresting 
to  my  readers,  but  rather  that  a  large  majority  will  gladly  avail  them- 
selves of  any  opportunity  which  may  offer  for  a  better  understanding 
of  the  great  problem  of  stock  feeding.  It  will  be  remembered  in  study- 
ing the  table  that  like  most  first  attempts  at  definite  expression  of  diffi- 
cult and  complex  problems,  what  is  here  given  is  but  a  crude  expres- 
sion of  important  laws,  and  that  the  tables  will  no  doubt  be  consider- 
ably modified  or  perhaps  supplanted  in  time  by  better  ones,  when  the 
animal  physiologist  has  enlarged  our  knowledge  of  what  becomes  of 
plant  constituents  in  the  animal  body.  In  its  present  form  it  contains 
so  much  of  value  that  it  will  well  repay  all  the  study  and  time  devoted 
to  it. 

WHAT   THE   TABLK   SHOWS. 

This  table  looks  formidable  enough,  but  when  we  have  studied  it, 
column  by  column,  I  do  not  think  it  will  be  regarded  as  difficult,  nor 
will  its  contents  seem  dry  to  farmer  readers.  In  the  first  column  are 
given  the  names  of  fodders,  all  of  which  are  used  in  some  portion  of 
the  country  for  stock-feeding  purposes;  next  to  this  comes  a  statement 
of  the  number  of  analyses  from  which  the  succeeding  average  figures 
are  derived. 

Water. — In  the  laboratory  the  scales  of  the  chemist  are  so  delicate 
that  he  can  weigh  a  thimbleful  of  corn  meal  with  a  smaller  proportional 
error  than  the  farmer  weighs  a  wngon  load  of  corn.  In  a  small  dish 
on  these  scales  he  places  a  sample  of  the  fodder  with  which  he  is  to 
\vork  and  determines  its  weight.  Placing  this  in  an  oven  it  is  dried  at 
a  temperature  of  212°  F.  for  several  hours  and  weighed  again.  The 


442  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

heat  lias  driven  off  the  water  and  the  difference  in  the  two  weights 
represents  the  water  which  the  sample  contained.  The  average  amount 
of  water  found  in  the  various  samples  in  the  list  is  placed  in  the  column 
headed  "  Water."  It  will  be  seen  that  the  proportion  of  water  in  the 
different  feed  stuffs  varies  greatly.  In  100  pounds  of  pasture  grass 
there  are  75.3  pounds  of  water  on  an  average;  with  roots  the  amount 
reaches  as  high  as  90  pounds,  while  for  straw  and  grain  it  varies  from 
8  to  1C  pounds  of  water  per  hundred  weight.  Water  is  the  great  vehicle 
for  transporting  food  both  in  the  plant  and  animal,  and,  while  of  the 
highest  importance  to  both,  it  is  so  universal  and  abundant  that  we 
need  not  further  consider  it  at  this  time. 

Ash. — Carefully  burning  a  sample  of  the  fodder,  the  chemist  deter- 
mines the  ash.  By  the  table  we  find  that  in  100  pounds  of  pasture 
grass  there  are  2.5  pounds  ash,  while  in  clover  hay  there  are  over  6 
pounds.  One  hundred  pounds  of  shelled  corn  contains  only  1.5  pounds 
of  ash,  while  the  same  weight  of  wheat  bran  yields  over  5  pounds.  The 
ash  elements  in  plants  are  very  important,  since  they  enter  into  the 
composition  of  all  the  tissues  of  the  body  in  a  small  way,  and  form  the 
larger  part  of  the  bones.  Experience  shows  that  when  the  stockman 
feeds  his  animals  abundantly  with  a  variety  of  nutritious  foods  they 
are  amply  supplied  with  ash  for  all  necessities  of  the  body,  so  that  as 
with  water  this  part  of  the  plant  substance  need  not  receive  special 
attention  when  considering  the  constituents  of  feeds,  though  there  are 
a  few  special  cases  where  the  supply  of  ash  is  apt  to  be  lacking,  even 
when  the  animals  are  seemingly  well  nourished. 

Crude  protein  marks  a  very  important  group  of  substances  in  fodders, 
the  characteristic  element  of  all  being  nitrogen .  The  chemist  has  found 
that  protein  compounds  weigh  C.25  times  as  much  as  the  nitrogen  con- 
tained ;  by  a  complicated  process  he  determines  the  weight  of  nitrogen 
in  a  sample  of  feed,  and  multiplies  this  by  6.25,  which  gives  the  crude 
protein.  A  considerable  portion  of  the  bones,  the  ligaments  which  hold 
the  bones  together,  the  muscles  which  surround  the  bones,  the  tendons 
which  bind  the  muscles  to  the  bone,  and  the  great  nervous  system,  as 
well  as  the  internal  organs  of  the  body,  are  largely  composed  of  protein 
compounds.  From  this  we  can  readily  understand  that  protein  is  a  very 
important  part  of  stock  foods,  being  especially  needed  with  young,  grow- 
ing animals.  We  turn  with  interest  to  the  table  and  note  that  the  total 
crude  protein  in  pasture  grass  is  4  pounds  to  the  hundred,  while  in 
oats  there  are  11.8  pounds,  in  corn,  10.5  pounds,  and  nearly  33  pounds 
in  100  of  linseed  meal. 

Crude  fiber  is  determined  by  boiling  a  sample  of  the  fodder  first  with 
a  weak  alkali,  and  then  with  a  weak  acid  in  order  to  dissolve  out  as 
much  of  the  substance  as  possible.  The  uudissolved  portions  represent 
the  tougher  parts  of  the  framework  of  the  plant,  usually  termed  cellu- 
lose or  crude  fiber.  The  table  shows  that  a  large  portion  of  rye  straw 
is  crude  fiber,  while  in  grains  like  corn  or  wheat  the  amount  is  very 
small. 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE.      443 

Ether  extract. — On  another  sample  of  the  fodder  the  chemist  places 
ether,  which  dissolves  out  whatever  fats  and  wax  it  contains,  and  this 
dissolved  portion  is  called  the  ether  extract  or  crude  fat.  Hay  and 
straw  contain  very  little  fat,  and  still  less  is  found  in  mangolds  or 
turnips,  while  corn  contains  considerable,  and  oil  meal  and  cotton-seed 
meal  a  relatively  large  amount. 

Xitrogen-free  extract  signifies  what  is  left  of  the  organic  matter  of  the 
plant  after  deducting  the  preceding  groups  of  elements.  It  contains 
starch,  sugar,  dextrine,  and  gums. 

Carbohydrates. — The  nitrogen-free  extract  and  the  crude  fiber  are 
grouped  together  under  the  term  carbohydrates.  The  leading  function 
of  the  carbohydrates  is  to  furnish  fuel  for  the  animal  body.  Portions 
not  needed  for  immediate  wants  may  be  converted  into  fat  and  stored 
up  in  the  tissues  awaiting  future  demands. 

The  figures  given  in  all  the  columns  of  the  table  we  have  passed  over 
are  derived  from  analysis  in  the  laboratory,  and  represent  the  total 
amount  of  each  of  the  plant  constituents  in  the  several  groups.  Thus 
far  the  investigation  is  purely  a  chemical  one,  though  the  grouping  of 
the  substances  has  some  relation  to  the  uses  of  the  food  in  the  animal 
system.  Having  learned  the  amount  of  each  of  the  constituents  in  a 
given  fodder,  the  chemist  proceeds  to  feed  it  to  some  farm  animal, 
usually  an  ox  or  a  sheep,  in  order  to  ascertain  what  portion  of  each  is 
digestible.  The  value  of  gold  ore  is  not  rated  by  the  total  amount  of 
gold  contained,  but  rather  by  that  portion  which  can  be  recovered  by 
practical  processes;  so  with  our  feeds,  only  those  portions  which  can  be 
digested  and  utilized  by  the  animal  are  really  valuable.  The  results  of 
digestion  trials  are  grouped  in  the  last  columns  of  the  table  under  the 
head  '•  Per  cent  of  digestible  matter,"  and  these  data  have  cost  the 
chemist  and  animal  physiologist  much  patient  labor;  oven  now  the 
results  are  crude  and  far  from  satisfactory. 

Let  us  study  this  table  item  by  item,  as  we  did  the  first  part.  We 
learn  that  while  the  total  crude  protein  in  pasture  grass  is  4  in  100 
pounds,  the  digestible  crude  protein  is  2.8  pounds  in  a  hundredweight. 
The  digestible  carbohydrates,  the  eomi>oumls  of  crude  fiber  and  nitrogen- 
free  extract  are  12.3  pounds,  and  the  digestible  ether  extract  O.G  pound. 
The  chemist  has  found  that  a  pound  of  fat  will  give  about  2.2  times  as 
much  heat  as  a  pound  of  carbohydrates.  Since  the  fats  serve  the  same 
purpose  in  the  Ixwly  as  the  carbohydrates,  we  cau  reduce  the  fat  found 
in  a  fodder  to  a  carbohydrate  equivalent  by  multiplying  it  by  2.2.  To 
obtain  the  nutritive  ratio  expressed  in  the  last  column  of  the  table,  the 
digestible  fat  is  multiplied  by  2.2  and  added  to  the  digestible  carbo- 
hydrates, and  the  sum  divided  by  the  digestible  protein.  Tin-  nutritive 
ratio  of  pasture  grass  is  1 :  4.9;  that  is,  for  every  pound  of  digestible 
protein  in  pasture  grass  there  an?  4.9  pounds  of  digestible  carbohydrates 
and  carbohydrate  equivalents.  The  following  table  snminarix.es  the 
results  of  analyses  in  digestion  trials  unjust  explained: 


444 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


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THE    FEEDING   AND    MANAGEMENT    OF    CATTLE.  445 


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446 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


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rl  rH  r-l  05  ffl  r-l  -*OCC 


THE  FEEDIXG  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE.      447 

Before  passing  to  the  next  division  of  the  subject,  let  us  review 
briefly  how  animals  grow  and  live.  All  animals  live  directly  or  indi- 
rectly on  foods  furnished  by  plants.  The  plant  grows  through  the 
union  of  chemical  compounds  taken  from  the  air  and  soil  and  brought 
tip  into  its  structure,  through  that  mysterious  principle  called  life,  by 
the  energy  of  the  sun.  The  sun  pouring  its  rays  day  after  day  in  sum- 
mer time,  furnishes  the  energy  which  welds  the  simpler  compounds  into 
the  more  complex  ones  of  the  plant  organism.  In  summer  time  our 
animals  crop  the  grasses  of  the  fields,  and  in  the  fall  man  gathers  plants 
and  their  seeds  into  barns  and  storehouses  that  in  winter  time  he  may 
pass  them  over  to  his  farm  animals  for  sustenance  and  growth.  The 
compounds  in  the  plant  substance  are  separated  in  the  laboratory  of 
the  stomach  and  digestive  tract  and  carried  about  the  body,  where 
they  are  built  up  into  the  body  tissues  or  stored  up  as  fat,  or  they  may 
be  burned  up  at  once  if  needed  to  give  out  energy  and  warmth.  Dr. 
Armsby  has  happily  used  the  figure  of  a  coiled  spring  to  illustrate  this 
wonderful  phenomenon.  The  energy  of  the  sun  in  summer  time  winds 
up  the  spring  in  the  plant,  and  when  the  animal  consumes  the  plant 
the  spring  is  unwound  and  exhibits  just  as  much  energy  in  the  unwind- 
ing as  was  used  in  winding  it  up. 

In  studying  these  plant  compounds  we  have  divided  those  which 
need  especial  attention  into  three  groups,  under  the  heads  protein,  car- 
l>ohydrates,  and  fat.  As  already  shown,  the  protein  compounds  are 
that  portion  of  the  food  material  which  may  go  to  build  up  the  mus- 
cular portion  of  the  animal  body.  Among  the  list  of  food  articles  used 
by  man  rich  in  protein  are  the  lean  part  of  meat,  the  white  of  egg,  the 
cheese  of  inilk,  and  the  gluten  of  wheat;  of  stock  foods  rich  in  pro- 
tein we  have  cotton-seed  meal,  oil  meal,  pease,  wheat  bran,  clover,  and 
alfalfa  hay.  The  first  great  use  of  protein  is  in  building  up  the  muscu- 
lar portion  of  the  body,  but  we  should  not  forget  that  it  also  gives  off 
heat  and  energy  in  being  broken  down  to  simpler  compounds,  and  may 
also  be  converted  into  fat  and  stored  up  in  the  tissues  of  the  body  for 
future  use. 

Since  the  carbohydrates  contain  no  nitrogen  they  can  not  go  to  build 
up  the  muscular  portion  of  the  body,  but  nevertheless  they  are  of 
great  importance  and  form  the  largest  part  of  foods  used  by  our  farm 
animals.  The  first  great  use  of  carbohydrates  is  to  furnish  fuel  for 
warming  the  body  and  enabling  it  to  perform  work.  Of  human  foods 
rich  in  carbohydrates  we  have  sugar  and  starch,  both  almost  chemi- 
cally pure,  while  the  grain  of  wheat  and  corn  are  both  very  rich  in  car- 
bohydrates. In  animal  foods  corn,  oat  straw  and  cornstalks  are  all 
rich  iu  carbohydrates.  As  the  protein  compounds  may  be  called  the 
muscle-formers,  so  the  carbohydrates  may  be  called  the  fuel  or  energy 
givers  of  the  body.  The  fats  in  foods  serve  the  same  purpose  as  the 
carbohydrates,  but  are  more  potent,  giving  ofl'  more  he.it  in  burning. 
A  pound  of  fat  is  generally  regarded  as  2.2  times  ;w  valuable  as  a  pound 
Of  sugar  or  starch  in  food. 


448  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

AMOUNT   OP  NUTRIENTS  REQUIRED  BY  OUR  FARM  ANIMALS. 

The  next  step  in  our  study  is  to  ascertain  the  amount  of  the  several 
constituents  in  feeding  materials  required  by  different  farm  animals 
under  varying  conditions  for  maintenance,  growth,  and  fattening. 
Since  the  weights  of  our  animals  vary  according  to  age  and  breed  it  is 
well  to  take  some  simple  standard  of  weight,  and  for  convenience  it  has 
been  placed  at  a  thousand  pounds.  The  needs  of  growing  animals  dif- 
fer from  those  that  are  mature,  and  the  requirements  of  work  animals 
are  not  the  same  as  those  at  rest  or  taking  on  fat.  In  Table  II  is  sum- 
marized the  amount  of  digestible  nutrients  required  by  a  thousand 
pounds,  live  weight,  of  farm  animals. 

To  study  this  table  let  us  take  the  first  case — that  of  an  ox  at  rest 
in  his  stall.  This  ox  is  supposed  to  weigh  1,000  pounds,  and  to  be  kept 
perfectly  comfortable  as  to  temperatiire  and  environment,  and  to  do  no 
work,  neither  gaining  nor  losing  in  weight.  The  amount  of  food 
required  under  these  conditions  will  be  the  minimum  for  such  an  animal? 
of  course.  It  will  be  found  when  we  have  furnished  this  ox  with  the 
digestible  nutrients  required  that  the  total  organic  substance,  which  is 
the  weight  of  the  fodder,  less  the  water  and  ash  it  contains,  will  amount 
to  17.5  pounds.  Every  beat  of  the  heart,  every  respiration,  the  tension 
of  the  muscles  while  standing,  all  mean  wear  and  destruction  of  mus- 
cular tissue.  Indeed,  every  manifestation  of  life  means  the  consump- 
tion of  food  to  repair  the  waste  of  some  portion  of  the  body.  The 
Germans  have  held  that  0.7  of  a  pound  of  crude  protein  is  necessary  to 
make  good  this  loss.  For  warming  the  body  and  running  its  machin- 
ery, if  we  may  so  speak,  there  are  required  8  pounds  of  digestible  car- 
bohydrates and  0.15  pounds  of  ether  extract.  Adding  the  digestible 
protein,  carbohydrates,  and  ether  extract  together,  we  get  a  total  of 
8.85  pounds  of  total  nutritive  substance.  If  we  multiply  the  digestible 
ether  extract  by  2.2  and  add  it  to  the  digestible  carbohydrates  the  sum 
is  8.33,  which,  divided  by  0.7,  gives  a  quotient  of  12  in  round  numbers. 
That  is,  for  every  1  pound  of  crude  protein  required  by  the  ox,  he  needs 
12  pounds  of  digestible  carbohydrates  or  their  equivalents  in  fat. 
Investigations  by  several  American  experimenters  have  shown  that  the 
amount  of  nutrients  stated  by  the  Germans  as  only  sufficient  to  maintain 
a  thousand-pound  ox  is  more  than  sufficient  for  that  purpose  under  our 
conditions,  and  that  the  ox  will  make  a  small  gain  therefrom.  Our 
Avork,  however,  has  not  progressed  far  enough  to  reconstruct  even  this 
portion  of  the  table,  so  that  we  shall  have  to  let  it  stand  as  stated  by 
the  Germans. 

In  the  same  table  we  learn  that  the  ox  heavily  worked  requires  2.4 
pounds  of  digestible  protein  per  day,  or  three  times  as  much  as  when 
at  rest.  We  are  not  surprised  at  this,  for  when  performing  labor  the 
muscles  must  be  worn  down  much  more  rapidly  than  when  an  animal 
is  idle.  A  milch  cow  of  the  same  weight  requires  more  protein  and 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE. 


449 


almost  AS  much  carbohydrates  as  the  heavily  worked  ox.  Though  there 
is  little  tax  on  the  muscles,  yet  a  large  amount  of  protein  is  needed  for 
the  cheese  portion  of  the  milk.  To  elaborate  this,  as  well  as  the  sugar 
and  fat,  makes  a  heavy  demand  for  food  by  the  dairy  cow. 

Table  II  is  compiled  by  the  German  scientist,  Dr.  Emil  Wolff,  and 
gives  the  amount  of  digestible  substances  he  considers  necessary  by 
our  farm  animals: 

TABLE  II. — Fwding  standards.     (According  to  Wolff.} 

[Per  day  and  per  l.fnwi  pounds,  live  weight.] 


Animals,  etc. 

; 

Total 
or  gaiiic 
sub- 
staucc. 

Nutritive    (digestible) 
substances. 

Total 
nutritive 
sub- 
stances. 

Nutri- 
tive ratio. 

Crude 
protein. 

Carbohy-   Ether 
drates'.    extract. 

Pound*.  Pound*. 
17.5          0.7 
20.0           1.2 

22.:.        1.5 

24.  0           1.  6 
26.  0           2.  4 
21.11           1.6 
23.  0           2.  5 

24.  0 
27.  0           2.  5 
26.  0           3.  0 
25.  0           2.  7 
28.  0           3.  0 
•>5  0           s  s 

]'ovnd». 
8.0 
10.3 
11.4 
11.3 
1H.  2 
10.0 
12.1 

12.5 
15.0 
14.8 
14.8 
15.2 
14.4 
i- 

Pound*. 
0.15 
0.20 
0.25 
0.30 
0.50 
0.50 
0.70 

0.40 
0.50 
0.70 
0.60 
0.50 
0.60 

Pound*. 
8.85 
11.70 
13.15 
13.20 
16.10 
12.  10 
15.30 

15.40 
18.00 
18.50 
18.10 
18.70 
18.50 

32.50 
28.00 
20.20 

19.8 
17.7 
16.6 
15.4 
13.0 

19.6 
16.6 
14.0 

13.11 
12.1 

37.5 
30.0 

•  - 
18,7' 

1:12.0 
1:9.0 
1:8.0 
1:7.5 
1:6.0 
1:  7.0 
1:5.5 

.5:4 
:6.5 
:5.5 
:6.0 
:5.5 
:4.5 

:5.5 
:6.0 
:6.5 

1:4.7 
1:5.0 
1:6.0 
1:7.0 
1:8.0 

:5.5 
:5.5 

:••/.. 
:7.0 
:8.0 

:4.0 
:5.0 
:5.0 
:6.0 
1:6.5 

Horse*  lieavilv  worked  v  

ti    Fat  ti-nin"  oxen.  Islperiod  

7.  Fattening  sheep,  1st  ]tcriod  

Fattening  sheep,  2d  period  

K     Kallcnin};  swine    l*t  period       

30.0 
31.0 
23.5 

22.0 
23.4 
24.0 
24.0 
24.0 

28.0 
25.0 
23.0 

42.0 
34,0 
31.5 
27.0 
21.0 

5.0 
4.0 

2.7 

4.0 
3.2 
2.5 
2.0 
l.tf 

3.2 
2.7 
2.1 
1.7 

1.4 

7.5 

|    0 

4.8 
3.4 
2.5 

27.: 

24.  ( 
17.  J 

13.8 
13.5 
13.5 
13.0 
12.0 

15.6 
13.3 
11.4 
10.0 
10.4 

2.0 
1.0 

o.« 

0.4 
0.3 

0.8 
0.6 
0.5 
0.4 
0.3 

Fattening  swine   2d  period  

Fatten  in;;  swine.  3d  period  

•.  Growint:  iattl<-: 

Average 
lice  ireiyht, 
Ayr.  month*.               perhrad. 
j     :i                         165  llm  

3—  0                         :OO  IbH  

ft—  12                       A50  UIH  

12—  IK                       77011m  

18—24                      940  Ibs  

•A  ing  *he«p  : 
5—0                         02  lb»       .. 

0—8                           73lba  

8—11                         K4  11.-     . 

n     i:.                     9U  Iba  

15—20                        95  11*  

11.  (iruuiiiK  fat  pig*: 
.V,  DM  

30.0 
25.0 
23.7 
20.4 
16.2 

H-.".                                 110  HIM  

5—6                         137  llw... 

6-8                         l«7  llw  

-     1  :                       -J7.-,  Mm  

From  TaMrs  I  and  II  wo  are  now  in  position  to  calculate  a  ration  for 
a  fattening  steer  or  a  dairy  cow.  Let  UM  form  a  ration  for  a  dairy  cow 
\\  i-ighing  1  ,(Mio  pounds  and  yielding  a  full  How  of  milk.  Suppose  we  have 
at  hand  the  following  common  feeding  stuffs:  Corn  fodder,  clover  hay, 
bran,  corn  meal,  and  cotton-seed  meal.  By  the  last  table  we  fiml  the 
requirements  for  a  cow  weighing  1,000  pounds  to  ho  2.5  pounds  diges- 
tilili-  protein;  1J..~»  jKmnds  digestibl<>  earbohytlrates,  and  0.4  pound 
digestible  ether  extract. 
L»9 


450  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

We  place  these  amounts  at  the  head  of  our  table  at  A : 

TAHM-:  III. — Showing  lion-  <o  construct  a  ration  for  a  dairy 


Natuie  and  weight  of  feed. 

Organic 
mutter. 

liblo. 

Protein. 

Carbohy- 
drates'. 

Ether 
extract. 

• 
A  .  Required  by  standard  

Pounds. 
2i.O 

Povndt. 

2.5 

Pound*. 

12.5 

Pound*. 
0.4 

7.71 

4.71 
4.12 
4.38 

0.39 
0.39 
0.63 
0.36 

4.13 
2.00 
2.20 
3.14 

0.14 
0.10 
0.15 
0.21 

First  trial  ration    

20.92 
1.69 

1.77 
0.74 

11.56 
0.36 

0.60 
0.25 

c    2  pounds  cotton-seed  meal  

c.  \ 

C            Second  trial  ration  

22.  61 

2.51 

11.92 

0.85 

In  order  to  properly  distend  the  rumen  the  feed  should  have  a  cer- 
tain bulk,  and  will  amount  on  the  average  to  about  24  pounds  of  organic 
matter,  which  sum  is  placed  in  the  first  column.  This  portion  of 
the  table  can  vary  more  than  any  other  without  serious  detriment. 
Having  the  requirements  before  us  in  the  table,  let  us  approxi- 
mate it  by  combining  seA'cral  food  materials  from  our  list.  For 
trial  we  will  take  14  pounds  of  corn  fodder.  By  adding  the  water 
given  in  Table  I  to  the  ash  and  subtracting  from  100,  we  have  the 
total  organic  matter  in  100  pounds  of  fodder  corn.  For  14  pounds  of 
fodder  corn  the  amount  of  organic  matter  is  7.71,  wliich  we  place  under 
the  column  headed  "  Organic  matter."  By  Table  1,  again,  we  learn 
that  the  digestible  crude  protein  of  field  cured  fodder  corn  is  2.8  per 
100  pounds;  for  14  pounds  it  is  0.39.  The  digestible' carbohydrates  in 
the  fodder  corn  is  29.5  for  100  pounds,  and  for  14  pounds  4.13.  The 
ether  extract  in  100  pounds  of  fodder  corn  is  1  pound,  and  in  14  pounds 
is  0.14.  We  place  these  sums  in  their  respective  columns,  which  gives 
the  total  organic  matter  and  digestible  material  for  14  pounds  of  fodder 
corn.  In  the  same  manner  we  find  the  organic  matter  and  digestible 
nutrients  in  6  pounds  of  clover  hay,  then  in  5  pounds  of  bran,  and, 
finally,  5  pounds  of  ground  corn,  all  of  which  is  summarized  under  B  of 
the  table.  We  next  add  the  several  columns  to  ascertain  the  total  con- 
stituents. The  sums  are  found  under  the  first  trial  ration.  We  now 
compare  this  trial  ration,  which  is  the  sum  of  the  items  under  B,  with 
the  required  ration  at  A.  We  notice  the  organic  matter  is  a  little  more 
than  3  pounds  short  of  the  requirements,  and  there  is  still  about  three- 
fourths  of  a  pound  of  protein  and  a  pound  of  carbohydrates  lacking, 
while  the  ether  extract  is  already  0.2  of  a  pound  in  excess.  Our  ration 
is  short  of  the  requirements,  and  to  bring  B  still  nearer  A  we  add  to 
the  trial  ration  as  given  2  pounds  of  cotton-seed  meal,  choosing  this 
feed  because  we  must  add  some  substance  rich  in  protein.  Determin- 
ing the  nutrients  in  2  pounds  of  cotton-seed  meal  we  place  them  at  6r, 
and  adding  the  items  to  the  first  trial  ration,  or  B,  we  get  the  second 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE.      451 

trial  ration.  In  the  second  trial  ration  we  observe  that  the  organic 
matter  is  1.31  pounds  short  of  the  requirements,  the  protein  .01  of  a 
pound  in  excess,  the  carbohydrates  0.58  of  a  pound  short,  while  ether 
extract  is  0.45  pound  in  excess  of  requirements.  We  have  learned  that 
the  ether  extract  is  worth  2.2  times  as  much  as  the  same  weight  of 
carbohydrates.  We  multiply  the  excess,  0.45  by  2.2  and  find  that  the 
excess  is  equal  to  0.99  of  a  pound  of  carbohydrates.  This  sum  brings 
the  carbohydrates  above  the  required  standard.  Our  second  trial  ra- 
tion is,  therefore,  slightly  lacking  in  organic  matter,  but  contains  the 
full  amount  of  protein  required  and  a  slight  excess  of  carbohydrates  or 
their  equivalents.  We  find  the  nutritive  ratio  of  this  ration  by  multi- 
plying the  ether  extract  0.85  by  2.2,  adding  it  to  the  carbohydrates  and 
dividing  by  2.51,  and  obtain  the  nutritive  ratio  of  1:5.5,  or  about 
the  requirements  given  in  Table  II.  This  is  as  close  as  we  can  expect 
to  work  in  practice. 

1  laving  studied  this  problem  over  carefully,  the  student  is  in  position 
to  use  Tables  I  and  II  in  a  study  of  the  requirements  of  his  stock  and 
the  feeds  he  has  at  hand.  With  a  little  patience  feed  combinations  can 
bo.  made  which  will  conform  to  the  requirements.  I  have  gone  over 
this  problem  carefully  in  order  to  show  just  how  the  tables  are  used. 
The  student  can  select  from  tlie  first  table  such  feed  stuffs  as  he  has  at 
hand  or  can  secure,  and  from  these  construct  rations  to  meet  the  wants 
of  his  particular  case.  The  exercise  will  prove  not  only  interesting, 
but  profitable,  for  it  will  throw  much  light  on  the  proper  combinations 
of  food  to  best  meet  the  wants  of  our  farm  animals. 

CONCLUSIONS  LN  REGARD  TO  THE  GERMAN  SYSTEM. 

In  presenting  the  German  system  I  have  followed  it  closely,  so  that 
tin  reader  may  be  able  to  make  practical  use  of  it.  About  1880  Prof.  J. 
W.  Sanborn  objected  to  the  feeding  standards  as  laid  down  by  the 
On  mans,  ami  (specially  to  Table  II,  claiming  that  an  ox  weighingl,000 
pounds,  when  fed  with  the  nutrients  stated  by  Wolff,  as  required  for 
mere  maintenance,  might  actually  show  considerable  gain  in  weight. 
Insults  at  Cornell  University  and  other  experiment  stations  in  this 
country  go  to  sustain  Prof.  Sanborn's  objections.  Inquiries  ,sent  out 
from  this  station  to  successful,  intelligent  dairymen,  bring  information 
which  shows  that  some  arc  feed  ing  rations  which  correspond  very  closely 
to  the  requirements  laid  down  by  Wolff,  while  others  are  giving  less 
protein  than  in  the  standard.  Practical  exi>erieiice  seems  to  show  that 
1  results  may  be  obtained  with  less  protein  than  2i  pounds  per  day 
per  thousand  pounds  of  cow.  In  many  rations  I  think  if  the  amount 
is  _  pounds  it  will  be  ample  for  the  dairy  cow.  The  total  amount  of 
digestible  substance  should  not  vary  materially  from  the  standard. 
These  tables  may  be  compared  to  a  crude  and  often  incorrect  map  of  an 
unknown  country,  which  is  better  than  nothing,  though  far  from  satis- 
factory. It  is  well  for  the  reader  to  familial  i/e  himself  with  them,  for 
their  teat-lungs  are  very  helpful  in  the  practical  work  of  feeding. 


452  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

PRACTICAL  FEEDING — THE   CALF. 

In  successful  stock  management  we  must  start  with  a  strong,  vigor- 
ous calf.  This  means  good  blood  in  both  sire  and  dam,  and  that  there 
has  been  liberal  feeding  and  good  care  for  generations  back.  Where 
cattle  are  reared  under  practically  natural  conditions,  the  rule  that 
young  stock  come  in  the  spring  must  continue,  but  I  am  not  so  sure  that 
spring  is  the  best  time  for  the  dropping  of  calves  in  the  older  settled 
portions  of  the  country.  Spring  calves  are  incapable  of  receiving  much 
benefit  from  grass  during  the  first  season,  because  for  some  time  after 
birth  the  ruminating  stomach  is  undeveloped,  and  between  summer  heat 
and  pestering  flies  the  thin-skinned  creature  has  a  sorry  time  of  it. 
Winter  comes  on  with  its  dry  food  just  when  good  progress  has  com- 
menced, and  this  is  apt  to  check  growth,  so  that  the  animal  is  a  full 
year  old  before  it  starts  on  its  career  untrammeled.  Our  experience  at 
this  station  corresponds  with  that  of  thousands  of  farmers  who  are 
strong  advocates  of  having  calves  dropped  in  the  fall.  There  is  then 
much  time  to  give  them  the  little  attentions  needed,  and  since  they  live 
largely  on  milk  they  are  easily  managed  in  barn  or  shed,  and  occupy 
but  little  room.  Wrhen  spring  comes  the  youngsters  are  large  enough 
to  make  good  use  of  the  pasture,  and  the  result  is  good  progress  from 
the  start,  and  when  fall  conies  they  return  to  the  barn  large  enough  to 
make  good  use  of  the  feed  there  provided.  Cows  fresh  in  the  fall  yield 
a  good  flow  of  milk  during  the  winter,  if  well  fed  and  comfortably  housed ; 
just  when  the  milk  flow  begins  to  decrease  materially  cornes  the  favor- 
able change  to  grass,  under  the  stimulus  of  which  the  yield  is  increased 
and  held  for  some  time.  From  our  experience  I  put  the  annual  yield  of 
milk  at  from  10  to  15  per  cent  greater  from  cows  fresh  in  fall  than  those 
which  calve  with  the  springing  of  the  grass.  Breeders  of  pedigreed 
cattle  will  find  an  equal  advantage  with  dairymen,  I  think,  with  fall 
calves,  for  "the  six  months  gained  make  stock  a  year  from  the  next 
spring  of  sufficient  age  to  show  up  in  fine  style  and  practically  command 
the  prices  of  two-year-olds. 

FEEDING  THE   CALF. 

Where  the  calf  is  allowed  to  run  with  the  dam  few  precautions  are 
needed,  the  most  important  being  to  see  that  it  does  not  get  too  much 
milk,  which  may  cause  indigestion.  If  the  calf  remains  with  the  dam 
the  cow's  udder  should  be  stripped  out  clean  night  and  morning.  Any 
neglect  in  this  particular  may  result  in  soreness  to  the  teats  and  udder. 
If  the  calf  scours,  the  cow  should  be  stripped  three  times  a  day;  in 
other  words,  reduce  the  quantity  of  milk  the  calf  gets.  A  young  calf 
had  better  be  a  little  hungry  than  gorged.  After  two  or  three  months 
separate  the  calf  from  the  dam  and  allow  it  to  suckle  three  times  a  day, 
afterwards  twice.  The  greatest  danger  under  this  system  comes  at 
weaning  time,  when,  if  the  calf  has  not  been  properly  taught  to  eat  solid 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE.      453 

food,  it  is  apt  to  piue  and  shrink  in  weight,  or  at  least  make  little  gain. 
Teach  the  calf  early  to  eat  grain,  using  ground  corn,  bran,  oil  meal,  and 
fine  cut  hay.  The  system  of  allowing  calves  to  take  the  milk  direct 
from  the  cow  can  only  be  practiced  with  the  very  best  representatives 
of  beef  breeds,  where  the  most  rapid  and  perfect  development  is  desired, 
either  for  making  early  matured  beef  or  for  developing  fine  pedigreed 
stock. 

I  believe  no  breed  of  cattle  can  be  continued  as  a  first-class  dairy 
breed  where  the  calves  run  with  the  cows.  There  is  something  about 
hand  milking  which  causes  a  cow  to  give  more  milk  and  for  a  longer 
period  than  when  it  is  drawn  by  the  calf.  Fine  calves,  even  for  beef 
purposes,  can  be  made  where  the  calves  drink  full  milk  from  the  pail, 
but  the  stockman  will  usually  choose  to  have  the  calf  do  its  own  milk- 
ing, or,  if  not,  to  subsist  on  skimmed  or  partly  skimmed  milk. 

In  dairy  districts  few  calves  are  raised  except  on  skim-milk,  and  very 
satisfactory  dairy  stock  can  be  made  by  this  process  if  a  few  simple  rules 
are  intelligently  followed.  The  young  calf  should  be  taken  away  from 
the  mother  not  later  than  the  third  day,  and  for  two  weeks  given  from 
10  to  15  pounds  of  full  milk,  not  less  frequently  than  three  times  a  day. 
At  the  end  of  two  weeks  some  skim-milk  may  be  substituted  for  a  por- 
tion of  the  full  milk,  making  the  change  gradually  until  in  three  or  four 
weeks  skim-milk  only  is  fed.  Full  milk  of  the  Jersey  or  Guernsey  cow 
is  often  too  rich  for  the  calf,  and  part  skimmed  milk  should  be  used 
from  the  very  start.  At  the  end  of  a  month  or  six  weeks  the  calf  will 
do  nicely  on  two  feeds  per  day.  Feeding  Table  T  shows  that  the  cow's 
milk  has  a  nutritive  ratio  of  1  to  3.7.  In  skim-milk  the  ratio  is  1  to  2.1. 
Skim  milk  contains  all  the  elements  of  full  milk  excepting  the  fat,  and 
we  can  in  a  measure  make  up  for  this  with  cheaper  substitutes.  Proba- 
bly the  best  simple  substitute  is  flaxseed,  which  should  be  boiled  until 
reduced  to  a  jelly,  and  a  small  quantity  given  at  each  feed  stirred  in  the 
milk.  Oil  meal  is  cheaper  than  flaxseed,  more  easily  obtained,  and 
serves  practically  the  same  purpose.  Keep  each  calf  tied  by  itself  with 
a  halter  in  comfortable  quarters,  with  a  rack  in  front  for  hay  and  a  box 
for  meal.  For  feed  use  either  whole  or  ground  oats,  bran,  oil  meal,  or 
a  mixture  of  these.  By  the  third  week  have  a  mixture  containing  the 
grain  feed  at  hand,  and  as  soon  as  the  calf  is  through  with  the  milk  slip 
a  little  meal  into  its  mouth.  It  soon  learns  the  taste,  and,  following 
that  instinct  so  strongly  marked,  takes  kindly  to  the  meal  in  the  box, 
ami  in  a  few  days  eats  with  the  regularity  of  an  old  animal.  Have  the 
me;il  1  Mixes  movable,  and  place  the  meal  in  them  sparingly,  emptying 
out  all  that  remains  before  each  feeding  time.  Change  the  kind  or 
combination  of  grain  if  the  calves  seem  to  tire  with  what  is  given. 

A  prime  requisite  to  success  in  calf  feeding  is  regularity;  let  the 
c.ilves  be  fed  ut  the  same  time  and  in  the  same  order  each  day.  Next 
to  regularity,  regard  the  amount  of  milk  fed.  While  15  to  18  pounds 
of  full  milk  it*  a  ration,  with  skim-milk  from  IS  to  -\  inmnds  may  be 


454  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

fed,  depending  on  the  ability  of  the  calf  to  assimilate  its  food.  More 
skim-milk  calves  are  killed  by  overfeeding  than  underfeeding.  Milk 
should  be  fed  at  blood  temperature,  say  98°  to  100°  F.,  and  a  thermom- 
eter should  be  used  in  ascertaining  the  temperature.  The  feeding- 
pail  should  be  kept  scrupulously  clean  by  scalding  once  a  day,  a  pre- 
caution often  neglected. 

Scouring,  the  bane  of  calf  rearing,  usually  indicates  indigestion,  and  , 
is  brought  011  by  overfeeding,  irregular  feeding,  giving  the  feed  too 
cold,  or  the  animal  getting  chilled  or  wet.  Prevention  of  disease  by 
rational  feeding  and  systematic  good  care  is  far  better  than  poor  care 
and  unskillful  feeding,  followed  by  attention  and  solicitude  in  giving 
medicines.  To  check  indigestion  we  have  found  the  use  of  a  table- 
spoonfnl  of  liinewater  in  each  feed  very  satisfactory.  Successful  man- 
agement of  the  calf  lies  at  the  veryJfbundation  of  the  stock  business, 
and  calls  for  regularity  of  attendance,  discerning  at  once  all  the  little 
wants  of  the  animal,  and  a  generous  disposition  to  supply  every  need 
as  soon  as  apparent. 

FEED   AND   CARE   OF   YOUNG   STOCK. 

With  well -bred  calves,  thrifty  and  sleek  coated,  the  foundation  of  a 
good  herd  is  laid.  Though  the  subject  will  be  discussed  more  fully 
later  on,  it  is  well  to  remind  the  reader  at  this  point  that  gain  is  never 
so  cheaply  made  as  with  the  calf,  and  that  for  financial  reasons  if  no 
other  it  should  be  pushed  ahead  as  rapidly  as  possible.  Our  table  of 
feeding  stuffs  shows  that  milk  contains  a  large  amount  of  protein  or 
muscle-making  food,  and  it  also  contains  a  large  amount  of  ash  for  build- 
ing* up  bone.  From  the  composition  of  milk,  nature's  food  for  the 
young  animal,  we  get  a  hint  at  the  formation  of  rations  for  young  ani- 
mals. Pasture  grass  has  a  nutritive  ratio  by  the  table  of  1 : 4 . 9,  so  that 
it  is  also  high  in  muscle  elements.  But  nature  put  a  large  amount  of 
fat  in  cow's  milk,  and  calves  reared  on  full  milk  show  a  very  consider- 
able development  of  fat.  They  should  not  grow  poorer  after  wean  ing- 
time,  but  the  first  fat,  as  the  stockman  calls  it,  should  be  kept  on  all 
representatives  of  the  beef  breeds,  whether  intended  for  breeding  pur- 
poses or  for  beef.  This  can  be  accomplished  with  oil  meal  and  corn :  a 
little  oats  will  do  no  harm.  Counteract  the  tendency  of  the  grain  foods 
to  making  a  rigid  dry  flesh,  by  using  roots  or  silage,  which,  combined 
with  grain,  make  the  animal  growthy  while  keeping  it  plenty  fat.  For 
roughage  use  cornstalks,  clover  or  alfalfa  hay.  The  dairy  calf  should 
never  be  allowed  to  become  as  fat  as  those  intended  for  beef,  yet  this 
does  not  mean  that  it  should  be  the  sorry  representative  that  we  often 
find  it.  Very  little  corn  should  be  used  in  its  ration,  and  the  propor- 
tion of  oil  meal  stinted,  while  oats  should  form  a  larger  part  of  the 
ration.  This,  with  silage  or  roots  and  plenty  of  roughage  in  winter 
and  pasture  in  summer,  will  give  animals  of  the  desired  quality.  Calves, 
like  colts,  pass  through  a  period  of  growth  when  they  are  not  particu- 


THE  FEEDING'  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE.     455 

larly  attractive,  nor  do  they  need  very  close  attention  at  this  time; 
yet  the  watchful  eye  of  the  master  should  note  the  development  from 
day  to  day  and  see  that  all  the  wants  are  fully  supplied. 

STEER   FEEDING— PASTURES. 

There  are  two  theories  in  regard  to  the  proper  time  of  turning  steers 
to  pasture,  each  of  which  seems  based  on  good  reasons.  That  gener- 
ally advocated  by  agricultural  writers  is  to  keep  the  stock  in  the  barn 
and  yard  on  the  same  food  as  given  during  the  winter  mouths  until  the 
pasture^  arc  well  along  and  able  to  furnish  an  abundance  of  nutritious 
grass.  Often  when  stock  are  turned  on  such  pastures  the  ration  of  the 
feeding  stable  is  cut  off  at  once.  The  other  system  is  to  turn  to  pasture 
just  as  the  grass  begins  to  shoot,  when  the  sparse  blades  are  watery 
and  furnish  very  little  nutriment.  The  lack  of  food  in  the  pasture 
forces  the  stock  to  rely  mainly  on  what  is  obtained  in  the  stable  to  sat- 
isfy hunger.  The  first  grass  is  washy  and  has  little  nutriment,  but  has 
its  effect  on  the  digestive  system  and  gradually  prepares  the  animal  for 
the  change  from  grain  to  pasture.  It  is  a  fact  that  stock  often  shrink 
badly  when  changed  from  stable  to  pasture,  and  I  suspect  the  practice 
of  early  turning  to  grass,  at  the  same  time  keeping  up  heavy  stable 
feeding,  is  better  than  holding  the  cattle  longer  and  then  turning  at 
once  to  full  pastures.  If  stock  is  turned  to  pasture  early,  and  in  any 
event,  let  food  in  abundance  be  offered  them  at  the  stable.  It  is  trouble- 
some to  bring  them  back  to  the  barn  each  night,  yet  it  is  little  atten- 
tions like  these  that  pay. 

The  question  of  large  or  small  pastures  is  one  frequently  discussed. 
I  believe  the  majority  of  experienced  American  feeders  are  in  favor  of 
single  ranges  rather  than  numerous  small  pasture  lots.  The  grasses, 
both  in  variety  and  quality,  are  never  quit<?  the  same  all  over  a  large 
pasture,  and  cattle  soon  learn  to  detect  the  little  differences  and  satisfy 
their  like  for  variety  by  ranging  from  one  sort  of  feed  to  the  other. 
The  habit  of  the  herd  in  large  pastures  becomes  very  regular;  they 
will  be  found  in  the  morning  on  this  side  in  the  valley,  a  little  later 
o\,  i  on  the  hillside,  while  at  noon  they  are  resting  at  still  a  third  point. 
Continuity  of  habit  in  grazing  and  feeding  conduces  to  comfort  and 
quiet,  and  are  of  great  importance  to  profitable  returns.  Where  the 
i  ires  arc  cut  up  into  several  lots  of  course  the  fresh  bite  which 
(nines  with  changing  from  one  lot  to  another  is  tempting,  but  this  leads 
to  irregularity  and  unrest. 

GAINS  OF   8TKKKS   OK   PASTURE. 

I'i  of.  Morrow,  of  the  Illinois  Kxperimont  Station,  has  made  some  inter- 
e-ting  studies  on  this  point.  He  reports  the  gain  per  head  of  steers 
maintained  wholly  on  pasture  during  the  season  from  May  1  to  Novem- 
ber 1  to  be  as  follows: 


456  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

Yearlings. 

Pounds. 

4  head  of  steers  showed  an  average  gain  of 332 

10  head  of  steers  showed  an  average  gain  of 285 

2  head  of  steers  showed  an  average  gain  of 440 

Tiro-ycar-olds. 

Pounds. 

7  head  of  steers  showed  an  average  gain  of 466 

8  head  of  steers  showed  an  average  gain  of 384 

4  head  of  steers  showed  an  average  gain  of 406 

I  think  these  figures  are  very  satisfactory,  and  probably  up  to  the 
average  which  can  be  attained  on  good  pastures  by  grade  steers  in  fair 
flesh  when  turned  to  pasture.  Xo  doubt  animals  in  thin  flesh  when 
turned  to  pasture  will  show  larger  gains.  An  interesting  phase  of  the 
same  question  is  the  amount  of  gain  made  by  steers  from  an  acre  of  pas- 
ture land.  In  different  trials  Prof.  Morrow  obtained  returns  of  240. 200, 
and  138  pounds  of  increase  live  weight  per  acre  from  steers  on  pasture. 
The  average  of  these  gains  shows  that  when  beef  brings  a  reasonable 
price  such  pastures  have- a  value  of  something  like  $100  per  acre. 

FEEDING   GRAIN   TO    STEERS   ON   PASTURE. 

J.  B.  Gillett,  Illinois's  great  stock-feeder  of  the  last  generation,  used 
to  say  that  he  could  not  afford  to  fatten  steers  in  winter.  His  cattle 
were  mostly  summer  and  fall  fed,  getting  their  grain  from  boxes  in  the 
pasture  fields.  Unfortunately  we  have  little  accurate  data  at  command 
to  show  the  value  of  grain  feeding  on  pastures.  Prof.  Morrow  has  made 
several  trials,  but  the  results  so  far  do  not  seem  to  confirm  the  state- 
ments of  Gillett  and  others.  Prof.  Morrow  sums  up  the  experience  at 
the  Illinois  Station  as  follows  : 

The  results  from  two  years'  trial  indicate  that  a  grain  ration  to  young  steers  on 
good  pastures  is  not  usually  profitahle.  The  value  of  the  increase  in  weight  by  the 
grain-fed  steers  over  those  having  grass  only  will  hardly  repay  the  cost  of  food  and 
labor.  The  increased  value  of  the  animals  from  earlier  maturity  and  better  quality 
may  make  grain  feeding  profitable. 

While  his  results  to  date  do  not  show  very  favorably  for  grain  feed- 
ing on  good  pasture  not  overstocked,  he  strongly  advocates  the  addi- 
tion of  grain  or  other  feed  before  grass  fails  in  the  fall. 

INDIAN    CORN   FOR   STEER  FEEDING. 

Corn  is  the  great  fattening  food  of  America,  and  no  other  grain  is  so 
cheaply  raised  or  equals  it  in  the  economical  production  of  wholesome 
meat.  Our  stockmen  long  ago  learned  this  facj:,  and  have  used  corn  so 
exclusively  that  not  always  the  most  economical  results  have  been 
obtained.  With  the  almost  continual  plethora  of  grain  careless  habits 
have  been  acquired  in  handling  the  crop,  some  of  which  will  cost  much 
to  unlearn.  The  roughage  of  the  corn  crop,  the  stalk  portion,  has  been 
largely  wasted  through  ignorance  of  its  real  value  and  how  it  should 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE. 


457 


be  fed  to  stock.  Dr.  Armsby  lias  uiadfe  some  very  careful  studies  of 
the  corn  plant,  and  some  of  his  results  are  given  in  Tables  IV  and  V. 
Table  IV  shows  the  proportion  of  ears  to  stover.  By  stover  is  meant 
all  of  the  dried  corn  plant  less  the  ear,  or  practically  shock  corn  with  the 
ears  removed. 

TABI.K  IV. — Showing  the  actual   weights   of  ear  corn    and  storer  at  four   experiment 

stations. 


Name  of  experiment  station. 

Ears. 

Stover. 

Pound*. 
4.774 

Pound*. 
4,041 

4.  210 

4,300 

Wisconsin  

4.941 

4.490 

3,727 

2  4(R) 

4  415 

3  638 

We  see  that  nearly  half  of  the  weight  of  a  corn  crop  is  in  the  stalk, 
husk,  leaf,  and  top.  In  Table  V  is  given  the  digestible  portions  of 
the  ear  and  stover. 

TABI.K  V. — Showing  the  yield  of  digestible  matter  in  pounds  per  acre. 


Constituents. 

Ears. 

Stover. 

Total 
crop. 

I'  rot  <-iii  (inrliiiling  amides)  

J'uvndt. 
244 

Puvndf. 
83 

Pound*. 
327 

(  'artxili  \<l  ratcx  

2  301 

1  473 

3  774 

125 

22 

147 

ToUl  

•>  670 

1  578 

4  248 

This  table  shows  that  of  the  digestible  matter  in  an  acre  of  corn  2,670 
pounds  are  in  the  ears  and  1,578  pounds  are  in  the  stover  or  cornstalks. 
( )n  many  farms  the  stover  is  almost  wholly  wasted,  or  at  least  but  poorly 
saved  and  carelessly  fed.  Can  the  farmers  of  the  Mississippi  Valley 
nuirli  longer  afford  to  waste  37  per  cent  of  this  great  crop  after  they 
have  gone  to  the  expense  of  producing  it?  Of  course  I  do  not  hold 
that  all  the  cornstalks  produced  in  a  corn  crop  can  be  fed  to  fattening 
steers,  for  this  would  mean  the  consumption  of  too  much  roughage  in 
proportion  to  grain.  But  there  are  always  on  the  farm  horses,  cows,  and 
young  things  that  can  well  be  maintained  on  the  surplus  stover  of  the 
(•Mm  crop.  That  farm  which  can  hot  utilize  all  of  the  cornstalks  pro- 
timed  Hhould  change  its  management. 

I  <lo  not  think  the  heavy  corn-feeding  commonly  practiced  at  the 
\\rst  nearly  so  wasteful  as  many  have  thought.  The  corn  is  fed  with 
a  prodigal  hand,  but  this  does  not  necessarily  mean  a  heavy  loss  when 
the  cost  of  material  and  the  economical  conditions  under  which  it  is 
often  fed  are  all  duly  considered.  But  now  that  the  price  of  beef  is 
lower  and  the  price  of  land  and  corn  rising,  it  is  time  for  a  careful 
study  of  the  problem  in  order  to  save  as  much  as  possible.  Corn  may 


458 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


be  fed  to  a  steer  as  the  only  grain  for  a  couple  of  months,  with  excellent 
returns,  even  without  grinding  or  shelling,  providing  the  grain  is  not 
too  hard  or  the  ears  too  large  and  good  shotes  follow  the  steers  to 
utilize  the  waste  corn  in  the  droppings.  But  steers  can  not  be  fully 
fattened  on  corn  alone  with  profit,  for  the  concentrated  grain  soon  burns 
out  the  digestive  tract  and  the  steer  comes  to  make  poor  use  of  his 
food.  Whole  corn  may  be  fed  early  in  the  period,  but  generally,  and 
always  later  on,  it  should  be  crushed  or  ground  into  meal.  I  think 
crushed  corn  or  coarsely  ground  meal  will  be  found  preferable  to  that 
which  is  finely  ground.  In  all  cases  where  much  meal  is  fed  care  is 
needed  lest  the  animal  get  oif  feed.  Some  oil  meal  or  bran  should  be 
fed  to  lighten  the  ration,  starting  with  1  pound  of  oil  meal  and  gradually 
increasing  the  amount  until,  toward  the  close  of  the  period,  as  much  as 
5  pounds  may  be  fed.  In  the  same  manner  from  2  to  8  pounds  of  bran 
may  be  fed.  The  effect  of  oil  meal  is  to  give  good  handling  qualities  and 
a  fine,  glossy  coat  of  hair,  besides  affording  much  real  nutriment.  Bran 
is  likewise  cooling  and  lightens  the  heavy  corn  very  materially.  Boots 
or  silage  have  much  the  same  effect.  I  know  objections  will  be  raised 
that  if  all  feeders  were  to  use  oil  meal  there  would  not  be  enough  to  go 
round,  but  why  be  solicitous  when  in  1800  we  shipped  $8,000,000  worth 
of  oil  meal  to  the  feeders  of  the  Old  World  ? 

With  the  grain  there  must  always  be  fed  coarse  feeds  in  order  to 
properly  distend  the  rumen,  and  nothing  is  better  for  this  purpose  than 
good  corn  stover.  Most  stockmen  know  how  satisfactory  shocked  corn 
is  for  steers.  That  portion  of  the  stover  not  needed  for  the  steers 
should  be  given  to  other  farm  stock. 

BALANCED   RATIONS. 

Iii  order  to  show  what  sort  of  a  ration  a  steer  should  receive  if  fed 
according  to  the  German  standard,  two  rations  are  here  presented 
which  conform  fairly  near  to  the  requirements.  The  first  is  one  which 
may  well  be  used  in  the  corn  belt  where  corn  is  cheap  and  oil  meal 
close  at  hand.  The  second  presents  more  variety,  and  has  silage  and 
cotton-seed  meal  for  two  of  its  constituents. 

TABLK  VI. — Showing  rations  for  fattening  steers. 
KATIOX  XO.  I. 


Character  of  rations. 

Organic 
matter. 

Digestible  — 

Protein. 

Carbohy- 
drates. 

Ether 
extract. 

Required  by  standard  .. 

27.0 

2.50 

15.00 

.50 

Corn  fodder.  8  pounds  

4.41 
1.57 
12.31 
3.41 

.22 
.13 
.98 
1.13 

2.36 

.70 
8.88 
1.29 

.08 
.03 
.55 

.28 

Clover  hay,  2  pounds  

Corn  (maize),  14  pounds  

Oil  meal,  o.  p.,  4  pounds  
Total  

21.69 

2.46 

13.23  j              .94 

THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE. 


459 


TAHLK  VI. — Showing  rations  for  fattening  steers — Continued. 
RATIOX  NO.  II. 


Character  of  rations. 

Organic 

matter. 

Digestible- 

Protein. 

Carbohy- 
drates'. 

Ether 
extract. 

5.85 
4.29 
8.24 
8.M 

!.'••:> 

36 
.08 
1.26 
.26 
.74 

3.54 

•2.W 
4.41 
L1.  IT. 
.36 

.18 
.04 
.29 
.11 

.  -5 

Total      

23.  41 

2.70 

1-J.iij 

.88 

In  botli  tables  there  is  less  organic  matter  than  called  for  by  the 
standard,  but  this  is  not  important.  The  carbohydrates  are  less  than 
the  standard,  but  this  lack  is  nearly  made  up  by  the  excess  of  ether  ex- 
tract or  fat. 

SILAGE  FOR   STEER  FEEDING. 

The  llritish  farmer  leads  the  world  in  the  perfection  of  farm  stock, 
and  while  this  may  not  be  altogether  due  to  his  system  of  feeding,  yet 
that  must  be  a  large  factor.  Under  the  English  system  farm  animals 
do  not  go  for  any  long  period  on  dry  food.  The  cattle  go  to  pasture 
early  and  remain  late,  and  when  in  the  stable  or  yard  still  have  succu- 
lent feed  in  the  shape  of  roots.  How  different  the  American  system, 
where  our  cattle  are  on  pasture  a  few  months  in  summer  and  then 
return  to  the  stable  and  yard  to  subsist  on  dry  food  of  limited  variety 
for  nearly  six  months!  It  may  not  pay. in  many  cases  for  farmers  to 
grow  roots  for  stock,  but  wo  have  a  means  of  providing  a  cheap  sub- 
stitute  for  turnips  and  mangolds  in  corn  silage.  I  do  not  at  this  time 
wish  to  discus^  tin-  relative  merits  of  silage  and  roots,  but  rather  to 
pi i -ad  tor  more  general  introduction  of  the  silo  with  those  farmers  who 
do  not  lake  kindly  to  root  culture.  The  wonderful  development  of 
mat  liinei  y  for  planting  and  cultivating  corn  enables  the  farmer  to  pro- 
duce a  large  amount  of  excellent  feed  with  very  little  labor.  If  by 
some  means  the  juicy,  tender  stalks  can  be  carried  over  to  winter  we 
have  a  very  fair  substitute  in  cheap  form  for  the  root  crop,  and  this  is 
accomplished  by  the  silo,  which  gives  us  at  a  very  small  cost  u  succu- 
lent food,  palatable  to  horses,  cattle,  and  sheep. 

The  use  of  silage  came  through  dairymen,  and  to  this  day  the  steer- 
feed  IT  . .  i  n;s  to  hold  that  silage  is  only  suitable  for  dairy  cows  and  too 
sloppy  and  sour  for  beef-making.  Gradually  the  prejudice  is  breaking 
away  and  Wef-iuakers  as  well  as  butter-makers  are  beginning  to  appre- 

I  he  silo. 
SILAGE   COMPARED   WITH   ROOTS  FOR   STEER- FEEDING. 

Tin-  -K  at  silage  material  is  Indian  corn.  In  the  corn  belt  from  10  to 
L'(>  tuns  of  green  fodder  may  be  raised  on  an  acre  of  fertile  land.  If 
we  put  the  average  crop  at  15  tons  as  it  goes  into  the  silo,  it  will  feed 


460 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


out  12  or  13  tons.  AVhen  corn  is  planted  to  yield  the  material  above 
stated  the  stalks  stand  thin  enough  to  produce  a  good  many  ears,  or 
nubbins.  To  show  the  value  of  corn  silage  for  steer-feeding  I  present 
the  results  just  published  by  Prof.  Shaw,  of  the  Ontario  Agricultural 
College,  where  six  grade  Shorthorn  steers  were  fed  in  three  groups  of 
two  each. 

To  Group  1  was  fed  all  the  steers  would  eat  of  corn  silage,  with  about 
12  pounds  of  corn  meal. 

To  Group  II  were  fed  30  pounds  of  silage  per  day,  about  12  of  meal, 
and  all  the  cut  hay  the  steers  would  eat. 

To  Group  III  were  fed  45  pounds  of  sliced  roots,  and  about  12  pounds 
of  meal,  with  all  the  cut  hay  they  would  eat.  The  hay  was  timothy 
and  clover,  the  roots  turnips  and  mangolds,  and  the  meal  consisted  of 
equal  weights  of  ground  pease,  barley,  and  oats.  The  hay  was  chaffed 
and  the  food  mixed  at  the  time  of  feeding  and  given  in  three  feeds  per 
day. 

The  food  actually  consumed  per  animal  per  day  was  as  follows : 


Group  I. 


(  57.47  pounds  silage. 

(  11.72  pounds  meal. 

(30.6  pounds  silage. 
Group  II <  11.13  pounds  meal. 

'   9.3    pounds  hay. 

{  43.07  pounds  roots. 
Group  III ^11.12  pounds  meal. 

'  11.22  pounds  hay. 

The  following  table  shoAvs  the  results  of  the  trial,  beginning  Decem- 
ber 1,  1890,  and  lasting  146  days. 

TABLK  VII. — Showing  results  of  steer-feeding  trials  at    Ontario  Agricultural  College. 


Group  I. 

(2  steers.) 

Group  II. 
(2  steers.) 

Group  III. 
(2  steers.) 

Pound*. 
2  789  00 

Pounds. 
2735  00 

Pounds. 
2672  00 

555  00 

448  00 

537  00 

277  00 

224.00 

268  00 

1  90 

1  53 

1  84 

Prof.  Shaw  places  the  following  value  on  the  feeds : 

Oats 24£  cents  per  bushel. 

Peas 47    cents  per  bushel. 

Barley 38    cents  per  bushel. 

Sliced  roots 8    cents  per  bushel. 

Cut  hay $5. 00  per  ton. 

Com  silage 1 .  75  per  ton. 

Six  cents  per  bushel  allowed  for  grinding  grain. 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE. 

The  financial  results  are  presented  in  the  following  table: 

TABLE  VIII.— Shoving  financial  results. 


461 


Value  of  animals  and  cost  of  feed. 

Group  I. 

Group  II. 

Group  III. 

Valiif  of  two  steers  in  beginning  

fill.  56 

$109.  40 

$106  88 

1  '»~t    .it'    I'ci'll  

42.92 

41.45 

51.75 

6  08 

6  08 

6  08 

183.93 

175.  10 

17«;  .'.:( 

13.14 

13.14 

13  14 

Total  value                                          .             

197  07 

188  24 

189  G7 

Gain  

38.51 

31.31 

24.90 

22.70 

20  00 

15  20 

At  the  commencement  the  steers  were  valued  at  4  cents  per  pound, 
live  weight,  and  were  worth  5£  cents  per  pound  at  the  close.  It  will 
be  seen  that  the  heaviest  gain  per  day  was  made  by  the  steers  receiv- 
ing silage,  and  further  that  they  returned  the  best  per  cent  on  the 
investment;  the  root-fed  steers  gave  the  poorest  returns  of  the  three 
groups. 

At  this  station  we  have  fed  silage  to  steers  with  most  excellent 
results.  In  one  trial  four  2  and  3-year  old  steers  were  fed  corn  silage 
alone  and  made  a  gain  of  222  pounds  in  thirty  six  days,  or  1£  pounds 
per  day.  It  required  3,558  pounds  of  silage  to  make  100  pounds  of 
gain.  Four  steers  from  the  same  lot  were  fed  silage  with  a  mixture  of 
coi  a  and  bran,  when  it  was  found  that  654  pounds  of  corn  silage  with 
394  pounds  of  corn  and  180  of  bran  produced  100  pounds  of  gain.  Four 
shotes  running  with  the  steers  were  fed  only  02  pounds  of  corn  to  make 
a  gain  of  100  pounds,  showing  that  they  must  have  received  most  of 
their  food  from  the  droppings.  Let  the  feeder  place  any  reasonable 
value  he  may  choose  on  the  silage  in  these  two  trials  and  he  will  see 
that  we  produced  100  pounds  of  gain  at  a  very  small  cost.  The  objec- 
tion to  our  experiment  is  that  the  steers  were  only  fed  silage  forty  three 
days,  the  first  week  not  being  counted,  but  further  feeding  with  a  heavy 
grain  ration  and  hay  showed  that  the  gains  from  the  silage  were  well 
held  \\ln-n  the  animals  were  placed  on  dry  feed. 

This  brings  me  to  the  point  I  desire  to  make  in  favor  of  silage  for 
steer  feeding.  AH  with  roots,  silage  makes  the  carcass  watery  and 
soft  to  the  touch.  Some  have  considered  this  a  disadvantage,  but  in  it 
not  a  desirable  condition  in  the  fattening  steer!  Corn  and  roughage 
produce  a  hard,  dry  carcass,  and  corn  burns  out  the  digestive  track 
in  t  lie  shortest  possible  time.  With  silage  and  roots  digestion  certainly 
inu.Nt  be  more  nearly  normal  and  its  profitable  action  longer  continued. 
The  tissues  of  the  body  are  juicy  and  the  whole  system  must  be  in, just 
that  condition  which  permits  rapid  fattening.  While  believing  in  a 
large  use  of  silage  in  the  preliminary  stages  and  its  continuance  during 
most  of  the  fattening  period,  I  would  recommend  that  gradually  more 
dry  food  be  substituted  as  the  period  advances,  in  order  that  the  flesh 


462 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


may  become  more  solid.  Used  iii  this  way  I  believe  silage  will  become 
an  important  aid  in  steer  feeding  in  many  sections  of  the  country. 
Results  from  Canada,  Wisconsin,  and  Texas,  given  in  this  chapter, 
show  the  broa'tl  adaptation  of  this  food  for  stock-feeding  purposes. 

BEEF-MAKING  AT   THE   SOUTH. 

Few  realize  the  possibilities  of  beef  production  over  a  large  portion 
of  the  South.  For  centuries  the  study  there  has  been  toward  cotton 
production,  which  demands  scrupulously  clean  culture ;  grass  has  been 
despised  and  considered  a  pest,  but  now  it  has  overrun  some  of  the  old 
plantations,  and  while  restoring  the  soil  to  something  like  its  former 
fertility,  is  giving  good  annual  yields  of  nutritious  food  for  cattle. 
Many  a  cotton  plantation  can  be  made  to  return  in  Bermuda  grass, 
Johnson  grass,  or  Japan  clover  an  amount  of  feed  that  would  surprise 
even  a  northern  stockman.  Equally  important  with  the  growth  of 
grasses  is  the  enormous  production  of  cotton  seed,  which  furnishes  a 
most  nutritious  feed.  For  every  pound  of  cotton  fiber  there  are  about 
2  pounds  of  cotton  seed.  A  ton  of  cotton  seed  yields  about  35  gallons 
of  oil  and  750  pounds  of  cotton-seed  meal,  besides  nearly  a  thousand 
pounds  of  cotton-seed  hulls.  The  cotton  seed  itself,  when  boiled,  and 
the  cotton- seed  meal  are  valuable  stock  foods,  and  recently  even  the 
hulls  have  been  found  to  possess  considerable  feeding  value,  proving  a 
very  good  substitute  for  hay.  The  following  table  shows  results 
obtained  by  Prof.  Gulley  in  feeding  cotton-seed  nieal  at  the  experiment 
station. 

TABLE  IX. — Showing  feed  consumed  for  100  pounds  gain  in  weight  at  the  Texas  Experi- 
ment Station. 


Ifo.cf  steers. 

Daya  of 
experi- 
ment. 

Average 
weight  at 
beginning. 

Cottom 
seed,  raw. 

Cotton 

seed. 
cooked. 

Cotton- 
seed hulls. 

Cotton 
meal. 

6                         

90 
90 
90 
90 
90 
90 
79 
79 
79 

Pounds. 
755 
737 
780 
713 
785 
725 
C71 
662 
636 

Pounds. 

Pounds. 
417 

Pounds. 

Pounds. 

4                           

217 
228 
259 
178 
247 
154 

3                             

561 
759 
724 
579 
365 

4                                 

4                       ...         

g                             

10                         

9                                 

194 

3                     

147 

X<>.  of  steers. 

Corn  in  ear. 

Corn  and  cob 
meal. 

Silage. 

Hay. 

Cost  per 
100  pounds 
gain. 

6            

Pounds. 

Pound*. 

Pounds. 
1,230 
1,676 
595 

Pounds. 
218 

$2.  70 
3.83 
3.71 
3.72 
4.09 
4.1;! 
2.72 
-     2.67 
3.86 

4       

3       

4  

- 

4    

212 

8  

261 

10              ...           

630 

411 

9  ....-    

219 
519 

167 
254 

3  

THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE.      463 

The  values  placed  on  the  food  articles  in  this  table  are  as  follows: 

Cotton  seed,  raw  or  cooked per  ton . .  $7. 00 

Cotton-seed  bulls v do 3. 00 

Cotton-seed  meal , do 20. 00 

Corn  and  cob  meal per  bushel..       .40 

Mixed  hay per  ton . .     6. 00 

These  gains  are  very  satisfactory,  and  I  doubt  if  in  any  other  section 
of  the  United  States  a  pound  of  beef  can  be  produced  at  so  low  a  cost 
for  food  as  is  here  given. 

FOOD  REQUIRED  FOR  MAKING  A  POUND  OF  BEEF. 

Our  experiment  stations  are  helping  in  the  matter  of  determining  the 
amount  of  food  required  to  produce  a  pound  of  beef,  and  the  results 
are  proving  most  interesting  reading.  In  the  following  table  is  sum- 
marized the  amount  of  food  required  to  produce  100  pounds  of  gain, 
live  weight,  with  calves  and  steers  at  different  ages.  It  will  bear  care- 
ful study. 


464 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


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THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE.      465 

The  table  shows  results  obtained  at  the  Wisconsin  station  with  skim- 
milk  fed  to  Jersey  and  Holstein  calves.  At  the  Ontario  College  calves 
representing  six  different  breeds  were  fed  on  full  milk  at  first,  the  trial 
lasting  a  year.  The  Michigan  experiments  are  the  most  complete,  and 
cover  three  trials  with  two  lots  of  steers  representing  six  different 
breeds  in  the  first  trial  and  five  in  the  last.  In  the  Wisconsin  experi- 
ments the  grain  consisted  of  oats,  bran,  and  oil-meal.  At  Michigan  it 
was  wheat  bran,  oats,  corn,  and  some  oil  meal.  At  the  Ontario  College 
peas,  oats,  wheat  screenings,  bran,  find  oil-cake  were  fed. 

INCREASED   FOOD   REQUIRED    WITH    INCREASED    WEIGHT. 

I  ask  the  reader  to  carefully  review  the  results  obtained  at  the  Mich- 
igan station  and  note  the  steady  increase  in  the  amount  of  food  required 
to  produce  100  pounds  of  gain.  With  so  many  animals  on  trial,  repre- 
senting different  breeds  and  long  feeding  periods,  these  results  can  not 
be  accidental,  but  must  represent  some  rule  of  nature  of  great  impor- 
tance to  the  feeder.  As  we  have  learned  from  the  second  table  in  this 
chapter,  an  animal  requires  a  very  considerable  amount  of  food  for  mere 
maintenance  of  the  body,  so  that,  as  the  body  weight  increases,  more 
and  more  feed  must  be  given  for  its  mere  maintenance,  and  only  from 
the  excess  which  the  animal  may  consume  comes  the  increased  weight. 
At  first  the  young  animal  is  able  to  eat  and  digest  much  more  than  is 
required  for  its  maintenance,  and  out  of  the  large  excess  a  rapid 
increase  in  weight  results.  Though  the  total  amount  of  food  consumed 
increases  very  considerably  with  the  age  of  the  animal,  yet  gradually 
the  amount  required  creeps  up  until  finally  all  is  required  for  mere  main 
tenance  of  the  body,  alid  there  is  no  gain  in  weight  for  profit  to  the 
feeder. 

EARLY   MATURITY^  A   NECESSITY. 

The  facts  just  noted  lead  to  the  last  suggestion  in  regard  to  steer- 
feeding.  Some  of  my  readers  will  recall  a  period  when  it  was  not  con- 
sidered well  to  fatten  a  steer  until  he  was  5  years  old.  A  much  larger 
number  will  recall  the  early  exhibits  of  cattle  at  the  Chicago  Fat  Stock 
Show,  where  prizes  were  offered  for  big  steers.  The  long-legged,  raw- 
boned  creatures  that  competed  for  premiums  in  those  days  are  now 
almost  a  thing  of  the  past,  but  there  is  still  room  for  large  improve- 
ment. Marls  maturity  has  worked  wonders  in  pork-making,  and  is 
more  slowly  but  surely  accomplishing  equally  striking  results  with  beef 
cuttle.  While  in  parts  of  the  Old  World  hogs  are  not  fattened  until 
•J  or  3  years  old,  on  thousands  of  American  farms  in  the  corn  belt  April- 
horn  pigs  are  started  for  Chicago  in  November.  Prices  are  now  so  low 
for  beef  that  cattle  must  be  quickly  turned  and  every  pound  of  food 
made  to  do  its  utmost.  What  can  be  accomplished  in  the  way  of  early 
maturity  is  HluHtrated  by  results  obtained  by  Mr.  W.  A.  Harris,  of 
Linwood,  Kans..  who  reports,  in  the  Breeders'  Gazette,  his  experience 
30 


466  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

with  "  baby"  beef.  He  feeds  pure-bred  and  grade  Shorthorn  calves 
coining  in  December,  January,  and  February  until  the  following-  Decem- 
ber, when  they  average  11  months  old.  These  calves  generally  had 
most  of  their  dams'  milk  until  G  or  7  mouths  old  and  Mr.  Harris  figures 
that  they  each  consumed : 

20  Imshels  of  corn,  worth $5.00 

1,000  pounds  bran,  worth 6.00 

300  pounds  oil-meal,  worth 3.00 


Total  cost  of  grain 14  00 

In  addition  they  had  pasture  and  what  hay  they  would  eat,  which, 
together,  he  estimates  at  $4.  These  calves  weighed  from  910  to  920 
pounds  each  at  eleven  months,  and  brought  from  $3.80  to  $5.00  per  hun- 
dred, which  returns  are  certainly  satisfactory,  while  yearlings  have  but 
held  their  own  and  required  the  space  and  feed  of  nearly  two  calves 
during  the  additional  twelve  months,  to  say  nothing  of  interest  and 
accidents.  While  Mr.  Harris'  figures  doubtless  represent  the  extreme 
limit  in  the  direction  of  early  maturity,  and  it  is  probable  that  many 
will  not  dare  to  attempt  to  sell  beef  at  twelve  months  old,  there  is  no 
good  argument  for  not  making  a  vigorous  effort  to  steadily  reduce  the 
age  at  which  steers  are  marketed.  The  first  requisite  is  good  breeding, 
for  without  a  good  calf  further  effort  is  of  little  avail.  There  is  a  gross 
error  abroad  which  it  seems  almost  impossible  to  down,  and  that  is  the 
idea  that  blooded  stock  can  live  on  less  food  than  the  common  cattle  of 
the  country.  The  truth  is  that  such  animals,  being  more  artificial,  really 
require  better  care  and  more  abundant  food.  Their  point  ot  vantage  is 
their  ability  to  consume  a  large  amount  of  food,  making  the  most  of  it 
and  putting  it  on  the  most  valuable  parts  of  the  body  in  the  shape  of 
meat;  further,  they  do  this  at  an  early  age,  long  before  native  cattle 
have  reached  anything  like  maturity.  Improved  stock  means  an  im- 
proved feeder  with  an  intelligent  understanding  and  good  corn  cribs. 
Having  good  stock,  feed  liberally.  I  know  of  no  greater  crime  toward 
our  stock  in  this  country  than  parsimonious  feeding.  It  is  even  more 
common  to  hear  men  boast  of  how  little  their  cattle  have  wintered  on 
than  how  much  they  have  been  fed  and  what  large  gains  they  have 
made.  There  must  be  a  great  change  in  this  particular  before  genuine 
improvement  comes. 

THE  DAIRY   COW — INTRODUCTORY. 

Enormous  as  is  the  dairy  industry  of  this  country,  its  continued 
growth  for  some  time  yet  seems  almost  certain,  for  the  reason  that  our 
progress  has  been  largely  in  the  direction  of  an  improved  product 
rather  than  a  mere  increase  in  gross  output.  Low  prices  for  beef  cat- 
tle have  been  brought  on  in  no  small  measure  through  flooding  the  mar- 
ket with  lean  or  half-fatted  steers,  which  must  be  consumed  in  some 
way  and  drag  down  the  prices  of  well-fatted  representatives  of  their 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE.      4G7 

kind.  The  spread  of  the  creamery  system  does  not  necessarily  mean 
that  more  cows  are  used  in  the  production  of  butter,  but  rather  that 
more  butter  of  a  uniformly  high  quality  is  being  made  to  take  the  place 
of  dairy  butter,  much  of  which  has  a  doubtful  reputation.  Increased 
consumption  naturally  follows  improvement  in  quality,  and  with  more 
good  butter  on  the  market  more  is  consumed,  and  for  this  reason  more 
than  any  other  I  think  the  prices  of  dairy  products  have  held  up  so  well 
in  the  past. 

But  dairying  will  continue  for  another  reason,  which  lies  at  the  foun- 
dation of  stock-feeding,  and  this  is  because  the  cow  gives  a  larger  return 
for  her  food  than  does  the  steer.  I  doubt  if  many  of  my  readers  have 
ever  reflected  upon  just  this  phase  of  the  question,  but  it  is  one  of  large 
importance  and  will  some  day  be  carefully  studied. 

In  Table  III  wo  have  given  the  ration  of  a  dairy  cow  weighing  1,000 

pounds,  as  follows: 

Pounds. 

Corn  foil«ler  ......................................................  11 

Clover  hay  .......................................................  G 

Bran  .............................................................  5 

Corn  meal  ........................................................  5 

meal  .................................................  2 


From  this  ration  we  may  suppose  a  good  daily  cow  will  yield  about 
-~>  pounds  of  average  milk.  Supposing  we  feed  the  same  ration  to  a 
weighing  1,000  pounds.  I  am  sure  the  majority  of  feeders  Avill 
agree  that  i*  pounds  of  increase,  lire  weight,  will  be  a  fair  return  for 
this  amount  of  food.  Lawes  and  Gilbert,  of  England,  made  careful 
analyses  of  the  carcasses  of  ninety-eight  oxen  to  determine  the  charac- 
ter of  their  increase  .while  fattening,  which  they  found  to  l>e  as  follows: 

Per  cent. 
.............................................................     1.47 

••in  «lry  lean  meat)  .........................................     7.  G!> 

Fat  ............................................................  66.2 

W:.t.r  ..........................................................  21.6 

I.  ei  u>  place  the  food  constituents  of  a  day's  increase  of  2  pounds 
live  weight  of  the  fattening  steer  beside  what  is  contained  in  25 
pounds  of  average  cow's  milk: 

TAISI.I:  \l.—Shotei»y  the  rrtiimi  from  a  dairy  coir  ami  a  fatlrMtmy  ttecr  for  one  day. 


• S-HH  from— 


r.in it. r  unit t  I    Twenty-    Two  pounds 


fiviMMMIIlllN         111.  1.  -.:-•• 

!c»w  Minilk.      ill  MI-,-;- 

I 
':    i'tr  ttnt.    \    1'trctnt. 
0.17,               0.01 

(I  So  1               ii  r. 

r-  .- 

F»t  

1                0111 

1.30 
0.03 

Sugar  .  .  . 

1.20  ! 

Total ;  3.17  I  1.4* 


468  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.. 

Our  dairy  cow  lias  given  nearly  six  times  as  much  ajh,  six  times  as 
much  protein,  and  TO  per  cent  as  much  fat  as  is  returned  by  the  steer, 
with  1.2  pounds  of  milk  sugar,  against  Avhich  the  steer  has  nothing  to 
show.  If  we  reduce  this  milk  sugar  to  its  fat  equivalent  by  dividing 
by  2.2  we  find  the  milk  sugar  given  by  the  cow  to  be  worth  for  food 
purposes  0.56  of  a  pound  of  fat.  All  of  the  constituents  of  the  milk  are 
digestible  and  furnish  the  best  of  human  food,  while  much  of  the 
increase  of  the  steer  is  hardly  available  for  food  as  we  commonly  use 
meat.  At  the  present  time,  when  coarse  feeds  and  grains  are  raised  in 
such  enormous  quantities  in  America,  we  are  more  or  less  indifferent  to 
the  relative  economy  of  the  cow  and  steer  in  condensing  gross  hay  and 
the  coarse  grains  into  human  food,  but  when  population  becomes  great 
the  steer  must  give  way  before  the  cow  in  the  contest  of  economically 
producing  food  for  men. 

THE  ART  OF  DAIRYING  BASED  ON  THE  MATERNITY  OF  THE  COW. 

^Nature's  purpose  in  storing  fat  beneath  the  skin  and  between  the 
muscular  tissues  of  the  animal  body  is  to  lay  up  heat  and  energy 
material  against  the  time  of  need.-  This  process  goes  on  rapidly  at 
first,  but  after  a  time  the  system  seems  gorged,  and  further  storage  is 
secured  at  a  high  cost  for  feed.  How  different  with  the  dairy  cow. 
Food  given  at  night,  for  instance,  is  digested  and  elaborated  into  milk 
^ready  for  the  calf  in  the  morning,  and  is  at  once  disposed  of  instead  of 
being  stored  up  and  added  to  the  body  to  be  utilized  and  carried  about, 
and  it  is  for  this  reason,  probably,  that  the  cow  surpasses  the  steer  in 
the  economical  manufacture  of  human  food. 

It  is  the  appropriation  by  man  of  food,  material  intended  for  the  calf 
that  makes  possible  the  great  art  of  dairying.  Under  the  stimulus  of 
good  feed  an4  long  selection  our  dairy  cow  produces  much  more  milk 
than  is  needed  for  the  calf,  and  has  become  more  or  less  an  artificial 
creature. 

The  basis  of  the  whole  dairy  system  is  the  maternity  of  the  cow,  and 
the  successful  management  of  a  dairy  depends  upon  fully  comprehend- 
ing and  intelligently  following  out  this  idea.  To  ex-Governor  W.  D. 
Hoard,  of  Wisconsin,  belongs  much  credit  for  bringing  this  view  to  the 
attention  of  our  dairymen,  and  the  effort  has  been  of  untold  value,  for 
no  one  can  fairly  consider  the  problem  as  thus  stated  without  regard- 
ing the  dairy  cow  in  a  new  light. 

SHELTER. 

I  have  spoken  favorably  of  open  sheds  for  steer  feeding,  urging  that 
with  his  load  of  fat  and  stomach  filled  with  heating  grain  this  creature 
has  a  better  appetite  and  is  more  comfortable  with  the  freedom  of  such 
quarters  than  in  the  average  stable.  For  reasons  just  shown  our  dairy 
cow  is  under  very  different  conditions  and  shrinks  from  cold  and  expo- 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE.      469 

sure.    Any  other  animal  on  the  farm  will  stand  more  exposure  without 
suffering  than  a  cow  giving  a  large  flow  of  milk. 

Close  confinement  in  the  barn  during  the  whole  winter  is  a  subject 
now  being  much  discussed  by  dairymen,  and  some  argue  for  the  prac- 
tice, reporting  favorable  results.  I  can  not  believe  that  it  is  well  to 
keep  cows  confined  for  four  or  five  months  in  one  spot.  The  dread  dis- 
ease tuberculosis  has  already  found  a  lodgment  in  too  many  herds 
scattered  over  the  country,  and  its  spread  is  something  greatly  to  be 
feared.  It  is  not  unreasonable  to  hold  that  dairy  stock  confined  gener- 
ation after  generation  in  the  stable,  out  of  the  sunlight  and  fresh  air, 
for  many  months  each  year,  must,  after  a  time,  become  more  suscepti- 
ble to  this  disease  than  where  more  freedom  is  allowed. 

PROF.   ROBERTO'S  SYSTEM. 

It  is  not  well  to  turn  stock  out  into  the  bleak  winter  storm  to  obtain 
fresh  air  and  exercise,  but  can  we  not  modify  our  present  system  so  that 
the  cows  shall  have  the  freedom  and  avoid  the  exposure?  At  Cornell 
University  Prof.  Roberts  has  for  years  followed  a  plan  which  seems  of 
great  value  in  its  teachings  to  the  dairymen  of  this  country.  The  cows 
stand  in  stanchions  while  feeding  and  being  milked,  but  immediately 
afterward  they  are  turned  into  a  large  covered  yard  where  they  are  free 
to  stand  or  lie,  entirely  unconfined  except  by  the  walls,  so  that  they 
have  a  dining  room  and  living  room,  each  adapted  to  its  purpose.  The 
a<  (  umulations  from  the  horse  stable  are  spread  over  the  floor  of  the 
covered  yard  where  the  cows  spend  most  of  their  time,  and  is  cov- 
ered with  straw  and  land  plaster,  used  to  prevent  odors  arising. 
This  perfect  system  of  saving  manure  should  alone  pay  in  a  few  years 
for  the  cost  of  the  additional  room  required.  The  stable  can  be  reduced 
10  the  smallest  si/e  compatible  with  holding  the  cows  and  permitting 
milking  and  feeding,  andean  be,  kept  scrupulously  clean  and  thoroughly 
aired,  since  the  cows  are  in  it  but  a  few  hours  each  day.  Under  these 
conditions  the  cows  should  eome  to  their  meals  each  day  with  the  best 
of  appetites  and  return  to  their  larger  quarters  to  ruminate  in  com- 
fort. Where  dairymen  arc  buying  and  selling  COWH  constantly,  using 
each  animal  but  a  few  years,  close  confinement  and  little  attention  to 
the  health  of  the  herd  may  not  bring  unfortunate  results,  but  there  are 
nn-ny  persons  breeding  choice  herds  of  dairy  animals  who  wish  to  take 
a^  little  rink  as  jK)Ksible  from  weak  constitutions  or  inducing  tubercu- 
losiH.  To  Htieh  I  commend  a  careful  review  of  the  Cornell  system. 

REGULARITY   AND   K1NDNESH   IN   TIIK   DAIRY. 

The  dairy  cow  is  the  creature  of  habits,  as  well  as  most  other  annuals. 
and  is  very  susceptible  to  favorable  or  unfavorable  intluenccH.  At  this 
station  a  record  of  every  milking  in  kept,  and  in  looking  over  it  we  can 
tell  when  Sunday  comes  by  the  smaller  yield*  on  that  day.  Our  men 


470  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

milk  a  little  later  Sunday  morning  and  a  littie  earlier  at  night,  prob- 
ably hurrying  the  operation,  and  the  cows  resent  the  treatment  by 
a  somewhat  smaller  yield  of  milk.  Dr.  Babcock  has  found  that  a  new 
milker  will  get  less  milk  from  a  cow  at  first  than  the  milker  to  which 
she  is  accustomed.  Milking  the  teats  in  a  different  order  also  affects 
the  percentage  of  fat  in  the  milk  and  the  amount  of  milk  given.  Irreg- 
ularity in  the  order  of  feeding  must  also  have  an  unfavorable  effect. 
•  Probably  a  very  considerable  portion  of  the  milk  is  elaborated  by  the 
cow  during  the  time  of  milking,  and  if  this  is  true  it  is  not  difficult  to 
understand  that  the  cow  should  be  in  perfect  comfort  of  mind  and  body 
during  this  time.  The  dairyman  should  follow  a  regular  system  in  his 
feeding  operations,  supplying  the  same  kinds  of  food  at  the  same  time 
in  the  day  and  in  the  same  order.  Milking  should  be  performed  with 
regularity,  the  cows  being  milked  in  the  same  order  and  so  far  as  pos- 
sible by  the  same  milkers. 

RECORDING   AND    ANALYZING   MILK. 

We  have  found  nothing  more  helpful  for  its  cost  than  the  use  of  scales 
in  the  dairy  barn  for  recording  the  milk  yield  of  each  cow  at  each  milk- 
ing. A  sheet  of  nianila  paper  can  be  quickly  ruled  with  a  lead  pencil 
and  the  names  of  the  cows  placed  at  the  head,  with  the  days  of  the 
week  along  the  side  of  the  sheet.  These  sheets  can  be  made  to  hold 
either  a  week's  or  a  month's  record,  the  former  being  preferable,  we 
think.  A  pair  of  spring  balances,  tested  occasionally,  prove  very  sat- 
isfactory for  weighing  the  niilk.  The  fraction  of  a  minute  is  all  the 
time  required  for  the  milker  to  get  the  weight  and  enter  it  upon  the 
record  sheet.  The  effect  is  most  salutary  and  conduces  to  better  milk- 
ing and  more  kindly  care  for  the  cows,  since  each  milker  is  desirous  of 
making  a  good  record. 

The  fat  contained  in  the  milk  practically  measures  its  market  value, 
and  the  milk  of  different  cows  varies  so  in  the  fat  content  that  the 
dairyman  really  knows  very  little  of  what  his  cows  are  doing  when  he 
goes  no  farther  than  weighing  the  milk.  Churn  tests  to  learn  how 
much  butter  a  cow  can  make  have  been  recommended,  but.  to  set  the 
milk  of  each  cow  separately  and  churn  it  carefully  involves  so  much 
labor  that  this  system  is  hardly  practical.  In  the  Babcock  test  the 
dairymen  now  have  a  simple,  rapid,  and  inexpensive  means  of  deter- 
mining just  how  much  fat  there  is  in  the  milk  of  each  cow  in  the  herd. 
The  dairyman  who  will  use  this  test  will  be  surprised  at  what  it  reveals. 
Some  cows  that  were  supposed  to  be  among  the  best  are  found  to  yield 
milk  poor  in  butter  fat;  while  others,  giving  less  quantity,  may  be 
leaders  in  the  total  amount  of  fat  produced.  With  the  scales  to  show 
how  much  milk  the  cow  gives  during  the  year,  and  the  Babcock  test 
for  analyzing  the  milk  and  determining  the  percentage  of  fat  from  time 
to  time,  the  dairyman  is  in  position  to  know  just  what  his  herd  is  doing, 
and  can  dispose  of  unprofitable  animals  and  keep  the  good  ones  and 


THE    FEEDING    AND    MANAGEMENT    OF    CATTLE.  471 

their  progeny.  At  last  he  has  a  means  of  measuring  the  true  worth 
of  each  cow  in  the  herd,  and  there  is  no  longer  any  excuse  for  keeping 
and  feeding  unprofitable  animals. 

THE  QUALITY  OF  MILK  A  RESULT  OF  BREED  RATHER  THAN  OF  FEED. 

The  opinion  generally  prevails  among  dairymen  that  the  quality  of 
milk  is  directly  due  to  the  feed  supplied,  most  of  them  holding  that- 
certain  feeds  will  make  milk  rich  in  fat,  while  other  feeds  will  make  it 
watery  and  thin.  The  results  of  carefully  conducted  trials  in  order  to 
study  the  effects  of  feed  on  the  quality  of  milk  have  generally  shown 
that  the  composition  is  quite  regular  and  little  modified  by  the  food, 
though  the  total  yield  of  milk  of  course  varies  greatly  with  the  feed. 
I  think  in  this  particular  case  popular  opinion  is  largely  in  error.  With 
certain  kinds  of  feeds  the  dairyman  does  increase  the  amount  of 
butter  he  receives,  but  it  is  because  the  total  amount  of  milk  has  been 
increased  and  not  because  a  higher  per  cent  'of  fat  has  been  put  into 
the  milk. 

And  when  we  give  the  matter  due  thought  the  position  here 
advanced  seems  the  tenable  one.  We  do  not  expect  a  fruit  tree  to 
change  its  variety  of  fruit  through  good  or  poor  feeding.  A  Baldwin 
apple  tree  always  produces  Baldwin  apples,  though  the  number  may 
be  increased  or  diminished  by  the  treatment  of  the  tree.  If  feed  \\v:r 
the  controlling  factor,  the  strong  characteristics  of  the  dairy  breeds 
would  all  disappear  with  the  art  of  the  feeder.  Is  it  not  more  reason- 
able to  hold  that  we  must  breed  for  quality  and  feed  for  quantity? 

PREPARATIONS  OF  FOODS  AND  METHODS  OF  FEEDING. 

We  know  that  a  horse  standing  idle  in  the  stable  in  winter  will  live 
on  oat  straw  and  a  little  grain  and  keep  in  very  fair  condition.  His 
-live  lowers  are  untaxed  and  utilize  the  coarse  material  without 
diliu'ulty,  but  as  soon  as  the  hard  work  of  spring  comes  on  he  not  only 
urood  deal  more  feed,  but,  if  very  hard  worked,  the  hay  should 
he  rhaffed  and  the  grain  ground.  The  labor  he  performs  has  made 
sueh  demands  upon  the  body  that  there  is  not  energy  enough  left  to 
work  over  the  coarse  food  and  get  enough  out  of  it  to  make  up  the 
increased  wastes  of  the  Ixxly.  We  should  always  remember  that  our 
dairy  cow  is  really  performing  a  very  large  amount  of  work  when  giving 
a  large  How  of  milk,  and  her  food  should  not  only  be  in  large  quantity 
hut  put  in  the  best  form  possible  lor  easy  digestion.  Even  with  an 
abundance  of  food  carefully  prepared,  so  strong  are  the  inherent  ten- 
dencies toward  milk-giving  that  many  rows  will  take  from  their  own 
bodies  a  large,  amount  of  fat  stored  there  and  put  it  into  tlie  milk.  If 
we  will  only  route  to  regard  our  good  dairy  rows  as  working  very  hard 
while  giving  milk  *vc  are  iu  position  to  treat  them  pro]>erly. 


472  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

THE   FEED-CUTTER. 

There  should  be  a  good  feed-cutter  on  every  dairy  farm,  useful  for 
silo  filling  in  the  fall  and  for  chaffing  feed  in  the  winter.  All  cornstalks 
should  be  put  through  this  machine,  for  then  they  are  in  better  condi- 
tion for  feeding,  and  the  coarser  portions  left  uneaten  are  in  good  form 
for  bedding  and  the  manure  heap.  Long  cornstalks  are  a  nuisance  in 
a  feeding  manger,  worthless  for  bedding,  and  troublesome  in  the  manure 
pile.  Many  farmers  find  difficulty  in  feeding  cut  cornstalks,  since  some- 
times the  cows  refuse  to  eat  them.  In  a  few  cases  we  have  found  that 
the  sharp  ends  of  the  cornstalks,  when  cut  certain  lengths,  injure  the 
mouths  of  the  cows.  This  difficulty  can  usually  be  avoided  by  chang- 
ing the  length  of  cut.  Judging  from  experiments  at  the  Kansas  sta- 
tion, it  is  possible  that  in  the  lower  portions  of  the  corn  belt  cornstalks 
are  so  coarse  and  poor  that  they  are  not  useful  for  feeding  dairy  cows, 
but  farther  north  I  am  sure  they  will  pay  for  the  cutting.  Where  they 
are  not  well  eaten  the  cause  is  often  due  to  overfeeding,  or  endeavoring 
to  have  the  cows  live  on  too  limited  a  variety  of  foods.  Keep  the 
mangers  clean  and  feed  the  cut  fodder  with  care,  and  usually  very  little 
will  be  left  over,  and  that  only  the  coarsest  portion.  Experiments  at 
the  Wisconsin  station  show  that  with  the  varieties  of  corn  raised  there 
much  more  of  the  cut  stalks  will  be  eaten  than  if  fed  uncut  under  the 
same  conditions. 

Where  corn  is  cheap  and  labor  high,  uncut  shock  corn  of  small  varie- 
ties can  be  very  successfully  fed  to  dairy  cows.  It  is  surprising  to  see 
how  they  thrive  on  it,  and  the  undigested  grain  can  be  gathered  from 
the  droppings  by  lively  shotes.  This  system  is  somewhat  crude,  but 
not  without  advantages  in  the  pioneer  stage  of  dairying  in  the  corn 
belt,  where  it  helps  to  educate  the  farmers  to  a  proper  appreciation  of 
the  value  of  corn  and  corn  stover  for  dairy  cows.  After  a  time  this 
practice  should  give  way  to  more  improved  methods  commonly  followed 
in  the  older  dairy  sections. 

Much  has  been  written  in  regard  to  wetting  hay,  straw,  and  stalks, 
putting  meal  thereon  and  mixing  up  before  feeding.  The  English  are 
accustomed  to  pulp  or  slice  roots,  mix  these  with  cut  hay  or  "chaff," 
as  they  call  it,  and  then  sprinkle  the  meal  over  the  mass,  shoveling  it 
over.  Such  mixtures  must  be  very  palatable  to  the  cow,  and  give  ex- 
cellent results.  In  most  dairy  sections  we  have  not  yet  progressed  so 
far  in  our  feeding  methods,  and  the  simpler  practice  of  giving  hay  and 
grain  separately  will  probably  be  continued  by  many,  as  it  gives  very 
fair  results. 

The  best  general  rule  to  follow  is  to  put  the  food  of  a  cow  into  just 
that  form  which  seems  most  palatable  to  her.  Many  labor  under  the 
mistaken  idea  that  food  will  not  be  properly  mixed  in  the  rumen  unless 
it  is  mixed  before  being  swallowed.  Examinations  of  the  rumens  of 
cows  fed  experimentally  show  that  different  kinds  of  feed  are  all  inti- 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE.      473 

raately  mixed  together  within  half  an  hour  after  they  have  been  swal- 
lowed, and  that  the  mixing  is  much  more  thorough  than  is  possible  to 
get  in  the  feed-box.  It  is  better  to  let  the  appetite  of  the  cow  govern 
in  that  matter  rather  than  the  theory  of  the  feeder. 

FOODS  FOR  DAIRY  COWS. 

First  in  the  requisites  place  palatability,  next  quantity,  and  finally 
proper  proportions  of  nutrients,  being  guided  somewhat  by  the  German 
standard  as  expressed  in  Tables  I  and  If.  From  the  large  amount  of 
protein  represented  by  the  cheese  part  of  the  milk  and  the  albumen,  it 
is  certain  that  a  very  considerable  amount  of  protein  should  enter  into 
the  composition  of  the  food.  The  carbohydrates  supply  the  matt-rial 
out  of  which  the  milk-sugar  and  fats  are  elaborated,  thougji  of  course 
these  can  also  be  made  from  the  protein  substances.  The  protein  and 
fat  of  the  foods  are  the  more  expensive  portions,  and  for  that  reason  we 
should  be  careful  not  to  feed  them  in  more  liberal  allowance  than  is 
actually  needed. 

Among  grain  foods  for  the  dairy  the  following  are  worthy  of  special 
mention: 

Corn. — Indian  corn  is  a  most  valuable  food  and  one  of  the  cheapest 
used  in  the  dairy,  and  the  quality  of  milk  and  butter  produced  from  it 
usually  above  question.  Corn  meal  is  a  very  concentrated  food  and  packs 
too  closely  in  the  stomach,  and  should  be  extended  with  something 
coarser,  like  bran,  if  possible.  As  the  table  shows,  corn  does  not  furnish 
much  protein. 

Ontx  are  probably  the  best  single  food  on  the  list,  and  are  just  as 
valuable  in  the  cow  stable  as  in  the  horse  barn.  At  this  station  we 
have  found  oats  to  have  the  value  of  about  10  per  cent  in  excessrot'  an 
equal  weight  of  bran  for  producing  milk  and  butter  fat.  Oats  contain 
iniieh  ash  and  a  larger  proportion  of  protein  than  corn,  and  should  have 
a  prominent  place  in  the  feed  bin  of  our  dairy  farms  whenever  the  cost 
is  not  too  high. 

Harli  y  is  a  very  common  food  for  cows  in  the  Old  World,  and  is  used 
t-i  considerable  extent  on  the  Pacific  coast.  It  should  be  crushed  by 
rolling  rathfT  than  grinding. 

Wheat  is  sometimes  so  low  in  comparison  with  other  grains  that  it  can 
be  fed  very  profitably.  Frequently  on  the  Pacific  coast  it  is  the  cheap- 
est dairy  food  in  the  market. 

/'•«*. — Table  I  shows  peas  to  contain  a  very  large  amount  of  protein, 
ami  they  are  an  excellent  food  for  dairy  cows.  Being  very  rich  in  pro- 
tein, Itnt  a  few  pounds  should  be  used  in  a  ration. 

Cotton  need. — The  progress  of  Southern  live-stock  interests  depends 
largely  upon  an  intelligent  use  of  cotton  seed,  cotton  seed  meal,  and 
cotton-seed  hulls.  Cotton  seed  boiled  is  used  at  the  South  with  good 
iv>ults.  if  fed  in  reasonable  quantity.  Cotton  seed  meal  is  very  rich 
and  heavy  and  should  IHJ  fed  with  wire;  it  should  be  extended  by  some 


474  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

other  food  like  bran  and  mixed  with  roughage.  Cotton  seed  and  cotton- 
seed ineal  have  a  deleterious  effect  on  butter,  if  fed  in  large  quantities, 
but  with  care  they  can  be  fed  at  any  season  of  the  year  with  profit. 
Cotton-seed  nieal  should  be  used  more  generally  at  the  Korth,  its  high 
fertilizing  value  after  passing  through  the  animal  often  being  worth  the 
first  cost.. 

Oil  meal  or  oil  cake. — This  by-product  of  the  linseed-oil  factories  is  a 
a  most  valuable  food  in  the  dairy  barn,  though  it  should  be  used  inlim 
jted  quantities.  It  is  especially  useful  for  calves,  and  a  couple  of  pounds 
a  day  may  be  fed  to  dairy  cows  with  profit.  It  is  very  rich  in  fertiliz- 
ing elements.  Oil  meal  to  the  value  of  $8,000,000  is  annually  shipped 
to  the  Old  World.  For  the  fertility  it  contains,  if  for  no  other  reason 
it  should  all  be  fed  in  this  country  and  dairy  products  instead  shipped 
abroad. 

Bran  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  feeds  in  the  dairy.  From  its  loose, 
husky  nature  and  cooling  effect  on  the  system,  it  can  be  given  in  almost 
any  quantity,  with  little  danger  of  overfeeding.  It  is  the  safest  food  in 
the  dairy  barn,  and  should  always  be  in  store  to  mix  with  corn  meal  or 
the  ground  grains,  cotton-seed  meal,  or  oil  meal.  We  know  that  wheat 
rapidly  depletes  the  soil  of  its  fertility,  and  the  chemist  has  found  that 
the  larger  part  of  the  fertility  that  goes  into  the  wheat  grain  is  stored 
near  the  outside  of  the  grain  in  what  becomes  the  bran  on  grinding.  A 
few  farmers  still  hold  that  bran  is  little  better  than  sawdust.  Such 
notions  belong  to  the  past  generation.  Exporters  are  studying  how  to 
compress  bran  in  order  to  ship  it  abroad.  This  movement  should  be 
stopped  by  a  lively  home  demand. 

Shorts  and  middlings  are  now  but  a  finer  form  of  bran.  Sometimes 
they  contain  much  starch  and  form  a  first-class  food,  but,  again,  they 
carry  the  dirt  and  dust  of  the  mill,  and  are  not  so  palatable  as  bran. 

Malt  sprouts  and  brewers'  grains,  either  wet  or  dried,  are  valuable 
foods,  rich  in  protein,  and  often  sell  at  such  low  prices  as  to  admit  of 
very  profitable  use  in  the  dairy  barn.  Wet  brewers'  grains,  because  of 
their  cheapness  and  abundance,  are  often  misused.  The  sloppy  drain- 
ings  saturate  the  feed  boxes  and  mangers  and  become  putrid,  endanger- 
ing the  lives  of  the  cows  and  those  who  use  the  milk.  If  fed  when  fresh, 
and,  in  reasonable  quantity,  and  the  surroundings  kept  perfectly  clean 
and  wholesome,  brewers'  grains  are  an  excellent  food  for  dairy  cows. 

Gluten  meal,  a  by-product  in  the  manufacture  of  starch  or  glucose,  is 
very  rich  in  protein.  The  heavy  forms  of  this  meal  should  be  fed  cau- 
tiously and  extended  with  some  light  substance  like  bran. 

Corn  stover  or  corn  fodder  is  an  excellent  and  healthful  cattle  food, 
being  quite  free  from  dust,  and  very  palatable  to  the  cow.  The  amount 
of  nutriment  which  can  be  gathered  from  a  cornfield,  and  the  portion 
which  remains  in  the  stalks  has  already  been  discussed  under  steer 
feeding,  and  the  reader  is  referred  to  that  portion  of  this  chapter  for 
information  on  this  important  point. 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE.      47") 

Clover  hn\jj  when  well  cured  and  bright,  is  especially  valuable  for 
dairy  cows,  siuce  it  furuishesa  large  ainoimt  of  protein. 

Timothy  hay  is  at  best  a  pool*  food  for  dairy  cows;  it  should  be  left 
for  horse  feeding. 

Wti'-tit  hay,  <>at  hay,  or  barley  hay,  if  cut  early,  are  all  excellent  dairy 
foods,  and  their  use  should  become  much  more  common  than  it  is. 

Millet  hay  is  satisfactory  if  cut  very  early,  before  the  seeds  form. 

The  reader  is  referred  to  Table  I  for  the  proportions  of  nutrients  in 
the  above  and  many  other  feeds  used  in  the  dairy. 

SILAGE    IN   THE    DAIRY. 

I  have  already  spoken  favorably  in  regard  to  the  use  of  silage  in  steer 
feeding;  in  the  dairy  barn  it  has  a  still  more  important  place.  Milk  is 
a  watery  product,  and  the  cow  should  be  fed  upon  juicy,  succulent 
foods.  We  all  know  the  value  of  good  pastures,  but  their  season  is 
short  in  this  country,  and  in  the  Northern  States  our  cows  must  sub- 
sist on  dry  feed  between  six  and  seven  months  each  year  unless  we  can 
give  them  a  substitute  in  the  shape  of  roots  or  silage.  Many  dairymen 
have  learned  the  value  of  roots,  but  there  are  thousands  who  for  one 
ic. t-nii  or  another  will  not  grow  them,  and  to  such  I  strongly  urge  the 
use  of  silage  for  supplying  a  moist  food  most  palatable  to  dairy  cows. 
Silo  construction  has  now  been  greatly  simplified,  and  we  have  learned 
at  what  stage  to  cut  the  corn  and  how  to  secure  it  in  the  silo  at  very  low 
cost.  An  acre  of  good  land  will  furnish  from  15  to  18  tons  of  green 
corn  stalks,  many  of  which  will  carry  small  ears  or  nubbins.  This  ma- 
terial can  be  placed  in  the  silo  at  small  cost  while  full  of  juice,  and  kept 
thfire  with  little  waste.  From  20  to  40  and  even  CO  pounds  of  com 
silage  can  be  fed  to  each  cow  daily  during  the  winter  with  profit. 
There  is  a  prejudice  among  many  dairymen  that  silage  being  somewhat 
sour  will  injure  the  teeth  or  the  digestive  apparatus  of  dairy  cows,  but 
the  pra.-:  ical  experience  of  thousands  who  use  the  silo  show  such  charges 
to  !>e  without  foundation.  In  the  Indian  corn  crop  we  have  the  best  and 
j»cst  means  of  producing  a  large  amount  of  wholesome  cattle  food; 
with  tin  .xil<»  \\e  now  have  the  means  of  keeping  this  crop  inasucculent 
condition  for  v.  inter  feeding  so  that  it  proves  an  admirable  and  cheap 
substitute  for  roots. 

There  ;u-e  t  wo  classes  of  dairy  farmers.    Those  who  desire  to  raise 

uj.'iii  i  heir  farms  about  all  that  is  fed  to  their  stock  constitute  the  first 

I,  while  those  in  the  second  are  usually  located  on  high-priced  land. 

near  -»::u-  city  or  railroad  station,  and  can  not  grow  all  of  the  fowl 

required  by  their  COWH,  and  make  heavy  purchases  of  grain  feed  each 

The  first  class  of  dairymen  here  referred  to  will  doubtless  find 

it  more  profitable  to  grow  such  varieties  of  corn  only,  for  ullage,  as 

will  fully  ma  tine  in  their  locality,  and  plant  the  corn  so  thinly  that 

many  ears  will   form  on  the  stalks.    These  ears  will  make  the  silage 

rich,  and  a  fine  ration  is  provided  by  giving  a  few  pounds  of 


476  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

clover  hay  and  2  or  3  pounds  of  bran  or  oats.  Where  it  is  desirable  to 
raise  a  large  amount  of  roughage,  the  farm  furnishing  only  the  bulky 
feed,  let  the  corn  for  silage  be  of  some  large  variety,  which  will  barely 
mature  in  the  given  locality,  planted  on  very  rich  land,  so  thick  that 
very  few  ears  will  form.  The  amount  of  coarse  feed  furnished  per 
acre  is  enormous,  but  it  must  be  backed  up  by  a  full  grain  ration. 
Some  farmers  put  silage  into  the  pit  without  cutting,  but  a  good  feed- 
cutter  elevates  it  so  economically,  and  cut  silage  packs  so  well  and  is 
so  much  more  easily  removed  at  feeding  time,  that  cutting  the  corn 
should  generally  be  practiced. 

FOOD  REQUIRED   TO   PRODUCE   100  POUNDS    OF  MILK. 

The  dairyman  should  so  study  the  operations  of  his  farm  that  he 
knows  what  it  costs  to  produce  a  hundred  pounds  of  milk  or  butter. 
The  calculation  is  a  complex  one,  but  it  is  possible,  and  has  been  done 
by  a  good  many  farmers,  who  have  found  much  interest  and  profit  in 
the  work.  In  order  to  give  some  idea  of  the  amount  of  food  required 
to  produce  a  hundred  pounds  of  milk,  I  have  prepared  a  table  giving 
the  results  of  observations  at  experiment  stations  in  four  States  and 
Canada. 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE. 


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478  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

The  value  of  milk  is  mainly  dependent  upon  its  fat  content,  and  a 
gi\-en  weight  from  different  herds  varies  greatly  in  actual  value.  For 
this  reason  in  the  last  column  of  the  table  the  amount  of  fat  actually 
found  in  the  milk  is  reported.  It  will  be  seen  that  this  varies  from  3.25 
pounds  in  one  case  to  5.44  in  another.  The  wide  variation  is  an  admi- 
rable example  in  showing  how  important  it  is  for  the  dairyman  to  ana- 
lyze the  milk  and  learn  just  what  his  cows  are  doing.  It  shows  us  how 
little  we  know  of  the  value  of  the  herd  when  we  stop  short  with  merely 
weighing  the  milk.  By  weighing  the  feed  occasionally  and  weighing 
the  milk  regularly  and  analyzing  it  from  time  to  time  the  dairyman  is 
in  position  to  know  just  how  his  business  is  running. 

FEED   WITH   A   GENEEOUS   HAND. 

All  through  this  chapter  I  have  endeavored  to  convey  the  impress! on 
that  the  calf,  the  steer,  and  the  cow  are  living  machines  for  the  concen- 
tration of  hay,  grains,  and  grasses  into  human  food.  The  successful 
operation  of  these  machines  depends  upon  the  manager  and  is  con- 
trolled by  inviolable  laws.  Often  it  would  seem  from  appearances  as 
though  the  stockman  was  hostile  to  his  cattle,  and  regarded  every 
pound  of  feed  given  them  as  so  much  material  filched  from  tlie  feed  bin 
to  his  personal  loss.  The  man  who  wrote  in  a  letter  that  he  had  a  wife, 
3  children,  and  6  cows  to  support,  doubtless  took  just  this  view  of  the 
situation;  had  cruel  fate  thrust  10  or  20  cows  upon  him  he  would  have 
broken  down  entirely  under  the  burden.  With  some  the  greatest  effort 
in  conducting  feeding  operations  seems  to  be  the  study  of  how  to  save 
a  little  feed  and  still  keep  the  animals  in  existence. 

The  successful  feeder  works  on  exactly  the  opposite  principle.  He 
fully  appreciates  the  fact  that  an  animal  in  order  to  be  profitable  must 
be  liberally  fed.  He  understands  that  first  of  all  it  must  have  suffi- 
cient food  to  carry  on  the  bodily  functions  and  maintain  life,  and  that 
no  returns  can  come  to  the  owner  if  only  this  amount  of  food  is  sup- 
plied, and  that  all  increase  in  weight,  fat,  and  all  yield  of  niilk  come 
through  the  excess  of  food  over  the  wants  of  the  body.  This  leads 
him  to  breed  and  select  animals  with  large  consumptive  power,  a  strong 
digestion,  and  to  feed  them  up  to  their  limit  so  long  as  they  are  useful. 

If  our  farmers  only  fully  understood  this  first  great  law  of  stock- 
feeding  and  acted  intelligently  thereon,  our  stock  interests  would  be 
revolutionized. 

TEE   EYE    OF  THE  JIA6TEE  FATTEN  HIS  CATTLE. 

I  wish  the  above  legend  could  be  written  over  the  door  of  every  feed- 
ing stable  in  the  land,  for  it  expresses  a  most  important  truth  in  concise 
form.  If  a  man  has  no  natural  liking  for  the  stock  business,  it  is  really 
useless  for  him  to  attempt  that  vocation,  for  the  art  can  only  be  acquired 
by  students  having  a  certain  natural  adaptation.  If  one  has  this  love  for 


THE  FEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  CATTLE.      479 

the  business,  then  by  patienco  and  study  the  details  can  be  successfully 
worked  out.  First  conies  a  love  of  order  and  regularity,  which  are  of 
prime  importance  at  all  times.  Stock  must  be  fed  with  great  regularity 
;ind  in  the  same  order,  day  by  day.  and  all  possible  violent  changes  in 
feeding  and  handling  avoided.  The  feeder  should  move  among  his 
animals  quietly  and  in  a  way  to  win  their  confidence,  which  is  easily 
acqiiin-d  and  as  easily  lost-  As  he  passes  among  them  daily  in  his 
round  of  duties  he  should  have  a  quick  eye  to  scrutinize  every  member 
of  the  herd  and  detect  any  little  irregularity  or  trouble.  He  avoids 
disasters  or  serious  accidents  by  constantly  studying  the  little  comforts 
and  individual  wants  of  the  animals  under  his  care.  He  feeds  with  a 
liberal  hand,  and  none  of  his  animals  lie  down  hungry  or  discontented. 
The  successful  management  of  live  stock  is  dependent  upon  good 
judgment  in  handling  the  cattle.  If  one  lack  this,  all  his  other  quali- 
fications count  for  but  little.  He  may  understand  the  theory  of  cattle- 
breeding  and  how  to  compound  rations  from  a  scientific  standpoint; 
he  may  know  the  chemistry  of  the  foods  he  handles  and  of  the  bodies 
of  the  animals  to  which  they  are  fed;  he  may  have  the  literature  of  the 
stock  business  at  easy  command,  but,  if  he  lacks  sympathy  for  his 
animals  and  judgment  in  handling  them,  all  his  knowledge  is  of  no 
avail. 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Abdomen,  distention  of 29 

dropsy  of 69 

wounds  of 52 

Abortion 185 

causes  of 186 

contagious,  cause  of 190 

noncoutagious,  treatment  of 192 

prevention  of  contagious 191 

symptoms  of 190 

treatment  of 193 

Al>-«-88  in  or  on  the  ear 367 

of  the  eye  or  its  orbit 364 

lung 109 

11  a  vel 269 

treatment  of 310 

Acariasis 337 

Acid  poisons 68 

Aconite  poisoning 72 

Actiuomycosirt 409 

cause  of 41S 

of  jaw  bones 20 

tbe  tongue 23 

Afterbirth,  retention  of 241 

Air  in  veins 98 

Al liilini  11:1 1  i;i 145 

Alkaline  poisons 69 

A  m:i  urn-is 361 

Aii;i|>lin.ili-i.i 171 

Ana.sarca 835 

Anastomose** 83 

Anenmm , 96 

Animal  heat 86 

Anthrax 417 

in  man 422 

symptomatic 423 

A  pnplcxy,  cerebral 120 

parturient 247 

Aphtha,  epizootic 891 

Appetite,  drpraved 33 

Ar-niio  poisoning 65 

Artery,  dilatation  of  coat  of 98 

taking  up 312 

24097 31  « 


482  INDEX. 

Page. 

Arteries,  anastomoses  of 83 

and  veins,  wounds  of 94 

character  and  functions  of 80 

degeneration  of  coats  of 96 

Ascites ,. 59 

Asphyxia  electrica ......' 134 

Aspirator,  use  of  in  relieving  the  bladder 153 

Atrophy  of  the  heart 94 

kidney '. 151 

Auscultation 102 

Back,  sprain  of , 284 

Bacteria,  definition  and  character 372 

Balls  or  pills,  administration  of , 10 

Bandage,  plaster  of  Paris,  for  fracture 286 

Big  jaw _ 20,409 

Blackleg 423 

Black-quarter 423 

Bladder,  eversiou  of . .- _ 239 

palsy  of  neck  of 153 

paralysis  of 151 

rupture  of 239 

spasni  of  neck  of 151 

stone  in 164 

Bleeding  from  the  calf's  navel 268 

lungs 109 

nose 104 

womb 235 

how  to  check 95 

Bloat 29 

of  unborn  calf 202 

Blood  clots  in  walls  of  vagina 241 

its  composition 83 

letting,  operation 317 

vessels,  functions  of 77 

Bloody  flux 40 

milk 261 

urine 143 

Blue  disease 273 

Boils,  nature  and  treatment  of 334 

Bones,  auatomy  of 281 

broken .~ •*. 28 

compound  fracture  of „ 289 

diseases  and  accidents 281 

dislocation  of 295 

of  an  ox,  number  of . . . : 281 

the  face,  fractures  of 290 

Bowels,  diseases  of 39 

hemorrhage  of 42 

inflammation  of 41 

v       iuvaginatiou  of 43 

twisting  of 44 

worms  in 44 

Brain,  compression  of ». 121 

concussion  of 120 

congestion  of 120 


INDEX.  483 

Plga. 

Brain,  description  of .  114 

inflammation  of 117 

tumors  in 135 

Bran,  \rhi-a:.  :i>  a  cattle  food 1Z~> 

Breathing,  suspended,  in  new-bom  calves 267 

Broken  bones.      (See  Fractures.) 

Bronchitis 105 

Buffalo  gnat,  description  of 341 

history  of 342 

TM-atment  of  injury  by 343 

Bull,  lio-.v  to  ring 303 

Burns  and  scalds 347 

Calculi,  forms  of 101 

in  the  sheath 166 

renal 161 

itreteral 162 

nrethral 164 

urinary '. 153 

vesical : 164 

Calf,  feeding 542 

Calves,  constipation  in 273 

diseases  of  young 267 

gangrene  of  mouth  in 22 

iudigest  ion  in 37 

inflammation  of  joints  in 271 

suspended  breathing  of : 267 

Calving,  delivery  through  the  flank 227 

-  dissection  of  unborn  calf 222 

i  \i  <»i\  (!  fat  an  obstacle  to 199 

natural  presentation 195 

neglected  and  aggravated  cases 221 

obstacles  to 195,199 

palsy  after 253 

premonitions  of 194 

retarded  by  nervousness 199 

s\  iKptoms  of 194 

taliln  of  wrong  presentations 205 

Cancer 323 

Carbolic-acid  poisoning 70 

nicle 422 

noiiiaor  cancer 323 

Cartilage  of  the  ear,  excessive  growth  of 369 

necrosis  of 3t59 

Casting  the  withers 236 

Contrition,  method}* 316 

Catarrh ' 103 

malignant 426 

trlial  conjunctivitis 357 

IIHO  of 152 

Cattle,  infections  diseases  of 371 

1  ice  on 338 

1                      •••  :      -i 227 

('harlmn   417 

Cheat,  dropsy  of 109 

Choking ..26.309 


484  INDEX. 

Page. 

Circulatory  apparatus,  structure 77 

Coal-oil  poisoning 70 

Cold  in  the  head 103 

Colic 35 

Compound  fracture  of  bone 289 

Concussion  of  the  brain 120 

Congestion  of  the  liver 52 

lungs 109 

testicles 174 

udder 253 

Conjunctivitis,  catarrhal 357 

Constipation  44 

in  calves 273 

Contagious  abortion,  cause  of 190 

treatment  of 193 

manmiitis 256 

pleuro-pneumonia 377 

Copper  poisons 67 

Cornea!  dermatoma 361 

Corneitis 358 

Cornstalk  disease 16 

Corrosive  sublimate  poisoning 69 

Costiveuess 273 

in  young  calves 44 

Cow,  dairy 466 

maternity  of 468 

ration  for 467 

Cowpox 259 

Cows,  food  for  dairy 473 

in  calf,  treatment  of 182 

precautions  in  purchasing 259 

shelter  for  , 469 

Cramp  colic 53 

Cramps  of  the  hind  limbs 183 

unborn  calf 202 

Cud,  loss  of 32 

Cyanosis 273 

Cysts  (dermapilous  and  sebaceous) 335 

Dairy  management 469 

recording  and  analyzing  milk  in 470 

regularity  and  kindness  in 469 

silage  in 475 

Dandruff 334 

Dehorning 290,  304 

Diabetes  insipidus 142 

mellitus 146 

Diarrhea 39 

in  calves 37,274 

Difficult  parturition 195 

Digestive  organs,  diseases  of 15 

Diseases,  infectious,  of  cattle 371 

of  bones 282 

the  bowels 39 

foot 349 

heart  and  blood-vessels  . .                                                        77 


INDEX.  485 

Page. 

Diseases  of  the  liver  and  spleen 52 

nervous  system , ' Ill 

peritoneum 57 

pharynx  and  gullet 24 

skin 325 

urinary  organs 137 

Disinfectants,  how  to  use 375 

Disinfection,  agents  of 375 

Dislocations 295 

of  stifle  joint 295 

Diuresis 142 

Draughts  or  drenches,  how  administered 9 

Drinking  cold  water,  indigestion  from 35 

to  excess 17 

Dropsy  of  the  abdomen 59 

of  calf. 201 

chest 109 

hind  limbs , 183 

memhranes  of  the  fetus 183 

navel 272 

womb 183 

Dry  murrain 34 

Dysentery \.f...  40 

K;ir  cartilage,  disease  of 369 

diseases  of 367 

enchondroma  of. 369 

foreign  bodies  in 368 

frost  bitten 368 

fungoid  growths  on 368 

inflammation  of  internal 367 

laceration  of 369 

scurfy 368 

Early  maturity,  advantages  of 465 

Ecthyma 333 

Kctropion  ...  .1 863 

ma 330 

Electuaries,  how  composed 10 

Elephantiasis 335 

Eiuhryotomy 222 

Emphysema,  hcavei 108 

wind  under  the  skin 348 

f'.mcphalitis 117 

Endocarditis 92 

Encmuta  or  injections 11 

Enlargement  of  tho  heart 93 

Enteritis,  from  misplacement  of  bowel* 43 

hemorrhagic 42 

mercurial 42 

Mlllple 41 

Entropion 362 

Epilepsy 121 

Epiataxis 104 

Ergotiaui 73 

Eruptions  :if  the  Hkiu 329 

Erythema 328 


486  INDEX. 

Page. 

Eversion  of  the  bladder 239 

womb 236 

Excess  of  food  and  drink 16 

Extra-uterine  gestation 184 

Eye,  abscess  on 1 364 

anatomy  of 353 

foreign  bodies  in 383 

fracture  of  the  orbit 364 

tumors  of  the  orbit 365 

ulcers  of 359 

worm  in 361 

Eyeball,  dislocation  of 366 

inflammation  of 357 

tumor  on i)30 

hairy 361 

Eyelashes,  inversion  of 3(52 

Eyelid,  eversiou  of 363 

inversion  of 362 

laceration  of 363 

tumors  of 363 

Fatty  degeneration  of  the  heart 94 

Feed  and  care  of  young  stock 454 

cutting  for  animals 472 

Feeding  and  management 439 

methods  of,  for  dairy 471 

standards,  table  of 449 

stuffs,  average  composition  of 444 

the  calf 542 

Feet,  deformities  of 252 

pricks  and  wounds  of 352 

tumora  on 351 

Fetlock,  sprain  of 283 

Fever,  milk  (parturient) 247 

splenetic  or  Texas 428 

Fibroma,  fibrous  tumor 321 

interdigital 351 

Filaria  oculi 361 

Fistula  in  teat 264 

Fleas 345 

Flies  and  mosquitos 345 

Flooding  in  the  cow 235 

Fluke  disease 55 

Food  materials  for  dairy  cows 473 

composition  of 441 

improper 15 

required  to  produce  100  pounds  of  milk 477 

Foot-and-mouth  disease 391 

Foot,  diseases  of 349 

rot 350 

soreness 349 

Fou-linfoot 350 

Founder 349 

Fractures,  nature  and  causes  of • 284 


INDEX.  487 

Page. 

Fractures  of  the  bones  of  the  face 290 

limbs 294 

jawbone 291 

knee  and  hock 294 

pelvis 292 

point  of  the  hip 293 

ribs - 293 

shank  bones 294 

skull 291 

spinal  column !_';»! 

symptoms  of 285 

treatment  of 285 

Frost  Lite 348 

I'n^tbitteu  ears 368 

Fro/i'ii  food,  effects  of 16 

Fnrunculus 334 

<;;iui;ivn<-  of  mouth  of  young  calv«s .' 22 

Garget 253 

Gastric  catarrh .- 37 

Castro-enteritis » 57 

(;.!i. -rative organs,  diseases  of 169 

Genital  organs,  vesicular  eruption  of.. . 395 

(i.-niian  f«-ediug  tables 440 

Gestation,  extra-uterine 184 

period  of,  for  cows 181 

:ihu'H 177 

ng  with  food,  effects  of . . 31 

staggers — :U 

,1.     (Seo  Calculi.) 

(inib  in  the  skin 339 

(in i!<- 1,  opening  the -- 309 

wounds  and  injuries  of .- 28 

(;  ii  t -tic 50 

Ha-inaglobinuria 143 

Ha-maturia . 143 

H;i'iii(»]>t  y»is , , - 109 

Hair  balls  in  the  stomach  ... 34 

Haw,  inflammation  of . 366 

Haul  water,  for  drinking  purposes 17 

Heart,  anatoiuy  and  physiology  of 77 

atrophy  of ' 94 

tltH«jisc  . — ..  .. 87 

enlargement  of 98 

tatty  degeneration  of 94 

inflammation  of  mcuibrauc  Hurronnding 92 

injury  to  by  foreigu  bodies 89 

::..    I'!..*  -..•:'  "1 .  ''I 

palpitation  of 88 

Bound* — 87 

t nun. i-  in 93 

valvt>»of 93 

H<Mt.  |>io->t rat iuu  from 122 

II.  :i\.  > 108 

H«-cl,  ul.  oration  of .«. 351 


488  INDEX. 

Page. 

Hemiplcgia 126 

Hemorrhage 95 

Hemorrbagic  enteritis 42 

Hepatitis -..!  53 

Hernia  of  the  botvel 46 

rennet  or  fourth  stomach 46 

rumen 45 

uterus 183 

peritoneal t 50 

umbilical 48 

ventral 45 

Hip,  sprain  of 284 

Hoof,  loss  of 350 

split 351 

Horn  fly  (HcematoMa  serrata) 343 

Horns,  removal  of 290 

Hot  vrater,  injections  of 11 

Hoven -. 29 

Humane  treatment  of  animals 301 

Hydrocephalus  of  calf 200 

Hydrophobia 396 

Hydrothorax 109 

Hygiene  of  the  pregnant  cow 181 

Hypertrophy  of  the  heart 93 

kidney 151 

Impetigo  larvalis  and  labialis 332 

Incontinence  of  urine 153 

Indian  corn  for  feeding  steers - 456 

Indigestion  from  drinking  cold  water 35 

in  calves 36,273 

,                        third  stomach 34 

Infectious  disease,  definition  of 371 

diseases  of  cattle 371 

Inflammation  of  arteries 96 

the  bowels 41 

brain 117 

cornea 358 

haw 366 

heart 92 

heart-case 90 

internal  ear 367 

joints 296 

in  calves ,...• 271 

kidneys 146 

lining  membrane  of  heart 92 

liver 53 

lungs 107 

mouth 21 

navel  veins' 269 

parotid  gland 25 

penis  from  bruising 176 

sheath 174,176 

Bkin 328 

spleen 55 

stomach . .                                            37 


INDEX.  489 

Page. 

Inflammation  of  the  testicles 174 

ndder 253 

contagious 256 

nraclius 268 

urethra 177 

vagina ". 244 

veins 97 

womb 245 

Inflammatory  diseases  of  the  skin 328 

Inhalation  of  medicines 11 

Injections  by  the  vagina 11 

of  medicinal  agents 10 

hot  water 11 

subcutaneous 13 

In  j  nries  to  the  spinal  cord 123 

Inoculation,  protective,  for  anthrax 422 

Insufflation  of  medicinal  agents 12 

Interdigital  fibroma 351 

Intestines.     (See  Bowels.) 

Invagination  of  the  bowels 43 

Iodide  of  potassium  as  a  remedy  for  actimnnycosis 414 

Itch 337 

Itching 327 

Ixod.-s : 345 

Jaundice 52 

Jawbone,  fracture  of 291 

swelling  of 20 

Join t-ill  in  calves ; 271 

Joints,  structure  of 296 

K.lis 336 

Kcratitis 358 

Kidney  of  the  ox  .» 140 

parasites  of 150 

stone  in 161 

t  unions  of 151 

K jdneys,  inflammation  of 146 

Labor  pains  before  tho  time 196 

.itioiiH  and  ruptures  of  tho  vagina 240 

Luminitis 349 

Lap  orotomy 227 

ngitis 104 

Load  poisoning 66 

Li  -ucorrluca 244 

Lice  on  rattle 338 

Ligatiug  n  blood- venae) 98 

I. i-htning  stroke 134 

I.ipomnta  or  fatty  tumor 322 

Lip-*,  wounds  and  roiitUHioim  of 18 

Liver,  contention  of 52 

dtHcaMfl  of 62* 

inll.nniiialii.il  of 53 

Locnl  poiftoning 74 

Lockjaw ...  126 

wer<lf  itn  effect** 73 

I        Micas  338 


490  INDEX. 

Page. 

Lumpy-jaw 20,409 

Lungs,  abscess  of * 109 

actinomycosis  on 411 

bleeding  of 109 

congestion  of 109 

inflammation  of 107 

tuberculosis  on 402 

Luxation  of  the  patella 295 

Lymphatic  glands,  inflammation  of 84 

Malignant  catarrh 426 

pustule 422 

Mammitis,  contagious 256 

simple 253 

Mange .' 337 

Medicines,  how  administered 9 

inhalation  of „ 11 

injection  of _ 10 

insufflation  of 12 

Membraua  nictitaus,  inflamed 366 

Mecurial  poisoning 69 

Motritis 245 

Metro-peritonitis 245 

Milk  as  a  medium  for  conveying  disease 257 

bloody i 261 

blue 261 

duct,  closure  of 263 

constriction  of 264 

fever 247 

fistula 264 

food  required  to  produce  100  pounds  of 477 

from  tuberculous  cows 4(/7 

influence  of  the  cow's  food  on 275 

stringy ^ 261 

suppression  of 261 

Monstrosity  in  the  calf 203 

causes  of 204 

Moor-ill 143 

Morphine  poisoning 71 

Mouth,  diseases  of 18 

inflammation  of 21 

Murrain,  dry 34 

red 40 

Musty  fodder  a  cause  of  abortion 188 

Myocarditis 92 

Navel,  abscess  of  the , 269 

bleeding,  on  new-born  calf 263 

discharge  of  urine  through 268 

dropsy  of 272 

string,  displaced  in  calving 200 

veins,  inflammation  of 269 

Necrosis  of  the  bony  orbit 365 

Needles  in  cow's  heart 90 

Nephritis 146 

Nerves,  afferent  and  efferent 112 

the  cranial  ..  115 


INDEX.  491 

Page. 

>us  system,  diseases  of '.   Ill 

Nettle  rash 329 

Nose-bleed 104 

Nutrients  required  for  farm  animals 448 

Nymphomania 170 

Obstructions  iii  teat 262, 263 

(Edema 335 

(Esophagotomy 309 

(Estriasis 339 

Ophthalmia,  simple 3.7>7 

specific 357 

Opium  poisoning 71 

Orbital  and  periorbital  abscess 364 

Orbit  of  the  eye,  fracture  of 364 

necrosis  of 365 

tumors  of 365 

Orchitis 174 

Osteo-Harcoma - 323 

Otiti* 367 

Ovum,  inclosed 202 

Oxalic  acid  poisoning 69 

Oxen,  surgical  operations  on 302 

;  tinent  of,  for  calculi 162 

Palpitation - 88 

Palsy  after  calving 253 

of  neck  of  bladder 153 

Papillary  growths  on  the  penis 177 

Paralysis Ijl 

of  one  side  of  body ; 126 

the  bladder 151 

hind  parts  in  pregnancy 184 

norve  of  sight 361 

Paraplegia 124 

ites  of  the  kidney 150 

Parotitis : 25 

Par  tu  rim  t  apoplexy 247 

•i  it  inn.  difficult 195 

Pastures,  steer*  on Mi 

Patella,  luxation  of 298 

Paunch,  dirt  tent  iou  of,  with  food 31 

gas  in 29 

opening  of 310 

.-tare  of 292 

too  Hiuall  to  pa»w  a  calf • 199 

I'.-III|.!II-I:H 333 

Peni*.  swelling  of 178 

nit-era  ou 178 

warto  ou 177 

wounds  of 178 

:i 102 

:!  ilium  or  heart  caao 79 

IVi  i-  .inlitis 90 

nitin 67 

.  ngitia 24 

iud  gullet,  diaeaaea  of 2i 


492  INDEX 

Page. 

Phlebitis ; 97 

umbilical  269 

Phosphorous  poisoning 68 

Phthiriasis '. 338 

Pica 33 

Pityriasis '. 334 

Pleurisy 106 

Pleuro-piiemnonia,  cause  of 379 

contagious 376 

incubation  380 

post-mortem  appearances •.  382 

prevention  and  treatment  of 386 

Pneumonia 107 

Pneumothorax 110 

Poisoning,  aconite 72 

arsenic 65 

carbolic  acid 70 

coal  oil 1 70 

general  symptoms  of 64 

treatment  of ^...  63 

lead 60 

local 74 

loco- weed 73 

opium 71 

strychnine 72 

Poisons,  acid 68 

action  of 63 

alkaline 69 

copper 67 

dietetic 73 

mercurial 69 

phosphorus 68 

vegetable 69 

zinc 67 

Polypi : 322 

pharyngeal 26 

Polypus  on  the  vagina  or  uterus 178 

Powders,  medicines  in  form  of 10 

Pregnancj ,  duration  of 181 

signs  of 179 

Pregnant  cow,  hygiene  of 181 

Premonitions  of  calving 194 

Presentations  of  the  calf,  wrong 205 

Pricks  and  wounds  of  the  feet 352 

Prolapsus  vaginae 183 

Prolonged  retention  of  the  fetus 185 

Protozoa  of  Texas  fever . . .. 372 

Pruritis -x 327 

Psoriasis 331 

Pterygium 362 

Pulmonary  congestion 109 

Pulse.. 84 

frequency  of 101 

jugular , 84 

where  to  feel 86 

Rabies  ..  396 


INDEX.  493 

Page, 

J.'ation  for  dairy  cow,  table  of 450 

Rations,  balanced 458 

Red  murrain 40 

water 143 

Renal  calculi 161 

Respiratory  organs,  diseases  of 101 

Retailed  afterbirth 241 

Retention  of  the  fetus,  prolonged 185 

Rheumatism 297 

Rickets  in  calves : 280 

Rinderpest 389 

Ringing  the  bnll .' 303 

Ringworm 3J5 

Roberts,  Prof.  Isaac  P.,  system  of  covered  yards 469 

Rumcuotomy 310 

Rumen,  puncturing,  for  hoven 310 

Rupture  (See  Hernia). 

of  the  bladder 239 

navel 48,271 

vagina 240 

womb 240 

St.  John's  wort,  etc.,  effect  on  calTes 332 

Salivation 18 

Sanitary  regulations  for  .Southern  cattle 437 

Saty  riasis 170 

Scabies : 337 

Scours  in  calves 274 

S.-.irf 334 

Scurfy  cars 368 

Setons 808 

Sheath,  inflammation  of 174, 176 

Shelter  fur  farm  animals 468 

Silage  and  roots  for  feeding  cattle 459 

for  feeding  cattle 459 

in  the  dairy 475 

Sim  I!  limn  jM'cuiirum 341 

Skeleton  of  the  adult  bovine 281 

Skin,  amwarca  of 335 

applying  medicines  to 12 

discoaes 815 

eruption*  of 329 

faulty  secretions  and  abnormal  growths  of .» 834 

inllnmmation  of 32H 

parasitic  dincases  of 837 

pustules  on 833 

ntructuro  and  functions  of 325 

thickening  of 336 

wind  under 348 

wounda  of 346 

Skull,  fractnroof 291 

Slinging  oxen  for  shoeing 1TO 

Slinking  of  tlm  calf 185 

Smutty  <  urn  AM  food   16 

Snakebite* 74,346 

Sore  mouth 18 

throat  .  24 


494  INDEX. 

Pag* 

Southern  cattle  fever 428 

Spasm  of  neck  of  bladder ., 151 

Spaviii 296 

blood  or  bog .  297 

bone 297 

Spaying 1 317 

Spinal  column,  fracture  of 291 

cord ' 113 

injuries  to 123 

Spleen,  diseases  of 52 

inflammation  of 55 

Splenitis 55 

Split  hoof 351 

Sprains 282 

of  the  back 284 

fetlock 283 

hips 284 

Staggers - 117 

Staphyloma 3GO 

Steer  feeding 455 

Sterility,  causes - 172 

Stifle,  pseudo-luxation  of - 295 

Stings  of  insects  and  reptiles 347 

Stomach,  diseases  of. 29 

gorged 29 

tympanites  of 30 

Stomatitis 21 

gangrenous 22 

Stoue"(See  also  Calculi). 

in  the  bladder 164 

sheath ^ 166 

ureter . 162 

urethra 164 

Strabismus . 362 

Strychnine  poisoning 72 

Subcutaneous  injection \ 13 

Sugar  in  urine 146 

Sunstroke 122 

Suppositories,  how  used —  11 

Suppression  of  milk 261 

Surfeit 329 

Surgical  operations — 301 

Tables  of  food  constituents 444 

Teat  blocked  by  calculus 263 

casein 262 

opening  in  side  of.......... 264 

Tents,  chapped 262 

warts  on 262 

Teeth,  irregularities  of 19 

caries  of 20 

Temperature,  how  to  ascertain 86, 102 

Testicles,  congestion  and  inflammation  of 174 

Tetanus 126 

Throat,  sore 24 

Thrush  in  sucking  calves 280 

Thumps 83 


INDEX.  495 

Page. 

Ticks 345 

as  cause  of  Southern  fever 433 

Tinea,  ttinsuran.s  and  tinea  favosa  345 

Tongue,  induration  of 23 

Tracheotomy,  operation  of 398 

Triehiasis 362 

Tuberculosis,  bovine,  and  the  public  health 406 

nature  of '    401 

symptoms  of — 404 

Tumor  of  an  artery 96 

on  the  eyeball 360 

Tumors,  cystic 323 

fatty :;-Ji' 

fibrous 321 

of  the  brain 135 

eyeball  or  orbit 365 

eyelids 363 

heart 93 

kidney 151 

knees "••_':: 

pharynx 26 

tongue 323 

on  unborn  calf 202 

osseous ... .  .'!_:; 

Twin  calves,  difficult  birth  of L'<>7 

Tympanites 29 

chronic - :!•> 

r<l<lrr,  congestion  of 253 

contagious  inflammation  of 256 

tubercular  disease  of - 408 

I'li-i-rat  ion  of  the  heel - 851 

.In-  i  (niit-a 359 

p«'iii» '. 178 

Cmbiliral  phlebitis t 269 

1'mbilii-u.s.     (See  Navel.) 

-(••lit 368 

I'ri-t-  lal  <  alruli 162 

lira,  i  nil  am  mat  ion  of 177 

I 'ret  bra  I  calculus 164 

frinar\  .alruli 153 

okwtiiucatiou  of 159 

constituents  of 157 

:  'lers,  general  symptoms 142 

organs,  diaeaaes  of IT 

I'rine,  a  I  In  i  mm  in 145 

Momly 143 

potitinn  of  cow'n 138 

cacapo  of  through  calf's  uavcl 268 

•  •jwivc  Brcretion  of 142 

incontinence  of 153 

*i  ion  of  151 

migar  in  146 

. S» 

Uterus.  br«-a«-li  of 183 

:ia  an«l  n terns.  ]Nily]»us  on 17H 

i  luts  in  walla  of  ..                        • 241 


496  INDEX. 

Page. 

Vagina,  inflammation  of 244 

lacerations  and  ruptures  of 2-10 

protrusion  of 183 

Vaginitis 244 

Valves  of  the  heart 93 

Varicose  veins 97 

Venereal  desire,  diminution  or  loss  of 171 

excess  of 170 

Veins,  air  in 98 

inflammation  of 97 

Verruca 336 

Vertebra?,  fracture  of 291 

Vomiting 32 

Vesical  calculus 164 

Vesicular  eruption  of  genital  organs 395 

Warbles 339 

Warts 321,336 

on  the  penis 177 

teats 262 

Water  blisters 333 

in  head  of  calf 200 

Wens 335 

White  scour  iu  calves 37 

Wind  colic 29 

under  the  skin 348 

Windpipe,  cutting  into. ., 308 

Withers,  casting  the .' 236 

Womb,  diseased,  induration  of  mouth  of 197 

dropsy  of 183 

eversiou  of 236 

excision  of 238 

flooding  of 235 

inflammation  of 245 

rupture  of  the 240 

twisting  of  the  neck  of 197 

"  Wooden-tongue  " .' 23 

Wood-evil 34 

Wood-ill 143 

Worm  in  the  eye 361 

Worms,  fluke 55 

intestinal ^ 44 

Wounds  and  contusion  of  the  lips 18 

dressing  and  care  of 314 

incised 312 

lacerated 314 

punctured 313 

of  the  abdomen 52 

Wounds  of  the  arteries  and  veins 94 

gullet 28 

penis 178 

Yards,  Prof.  Roberta's  covered 469 

Yellows '. 52 

Young  stock,  feed  and  care  of 454 

Zinc  poisons 67 


Form  L-£ 


U.S.   Dopt.of 


U58 
.892 


animal   ind  .  - 


.  .  .special 
report  on  diseases 


cattle-^  ceding. 


A     001  107  763     3 


RSIDE 

LIBRARY 

CALIFORNIA 


UNIVERSITY  of  CALIFORNIA 
AT 


